Introduction to the evening news 28-02-2012

Given that the status quo in the Syrian field and in international positions on Syria has not shifted, the call for the U.N. Security Council to interfere went down to a political decision calling for President Assad’s resignation, then to a French attempt to pass a special draft resolution calling for the end of violence and the provision of humanitarian aids, mainly to Homs residents. As usual, the spotlights are back in a bid to find a common ground with Russia.           

In this regard, a western diplomat told Reuters “diplomats are probably stressing the need to provide humanitarian assistance to residents of Homs and other regions, while alleviating the criticism of Assad’s government enough to avoid the Sino-Russian VETO, but not to the point of losing the support of other parties such as France or Arab governments”.        

Meanwhile, the American caution over the Syrian crisis continued as U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said that there are arguments that allow the prosecution of President Assad on charges of committing war crimes; however, this option, she said, might complicate the solution-seeking process in Syria. To shed the light on the reasons behind the American position on Syria and its repercussions on Lebanon, we will host U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly on the news bulletin in a few minutes.            

As for the Arab positions, there was a shift in the Iraqi statements prior to the summit to be held in Baghdad in a bid to get closer to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki told Okaz Newspaper that Iraq endorses change in Syria and calls for elections under Arab and international supervision to elect a national council assigned with ratifying the constitution.            

As for the latest developments regarding the French and British journalists detained in Homs, conflicting reports emerged regarding their arrival to Lebanon. However, well-informed sources assured that the British man is in Beirut, but neither pictures nor official information about him were disclosed whatsoever.