Introduction to the evening news 13-11-2011

As if the post-Arab League decision phase is different from the pre-decision phase: Developments unfolded rapidly and events succeeded one another at a pace faster than before; and apparently, Turkey was strongly back in the picture.    

How did these events unfold?     

Tonight, Turkey’s foreign minister will meet with a Syrian opposition delegation in Ankara. This move comes at a time when Turkey has warned its citizens against non-essential travel to Syria. However, the greatest development lies in the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting to be held next Wednesday in Morocco.     

This meeting, which will be held in the presence of Turkey’s foreign minister in the sidelines of a forum between Turkey and the Arab nations, will discuss a mechanism to impose sanctions on Syria and create a buffer zone.    

Morocco’s meeting will come a day after a meeting between Arab League officials and Syrian opposition figures in Cairo.     

On the other hand, how is Damascus responding?     

The response came at different levels: At the popular level, pro-Assad Syrians took to the street to support the Syrian president and the regime. At the diplomatic level, Syria has shown some leniency by welcoming the Arab Ministerial Committee and calling for holding an emergency Arab summit. However, this leniency was preceded by moves that have drawn criticism, namely the attacks launched against embassies in Damascus.     

Apparently, this week will mark a turning point for Syria since the upcoming developments will draw the fate of the Syrian crisis.