Syrian foreign minister Muallem says Libya scenario won't be repeated

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said during a press conference on Monday that the Arab League’s decision to suspend its membership was "an extremely dangerous step" at a time when it was implementing a deal with the organization to end violence and engage in a dialogue with the opposition.    

Syria expressed confidence on Monday that Russia and China would continue to block Western efforts at the United Nations to condemn its crackdown on protesters, despite its suspension from the Arab League. Muallem said he expected the positions of Beijing and Moscow to remain unchanged despite the action taken by the Arab states, and also played down the prospect of any Western military intervention in Syria.

"The Libya scenario will not be repeated", he told reporters at a televised news conference in Damascus. When the U.N. Security Council voted earlier this year to approve military action against Libya, China and Russia abstained. Muallem told reporters that Washington's welcoming of the Arab League decision amounted to "incitement".

“We are committed to the Arabe League’s initiative and mechanism to end violence with the participation of any party. However, armed group leaders’ refused to cooperate although we told them that they have the capacity to cooperate with Syria’s neighbor country, especially Turkey, to stop the influx of weapons.” Muallem said.

Muallem stressed that the Syrian regime told the leaders that they can monitor money transfer sent to armed groups leaders. Muallem added that the most important aspect is ending media incitement adding “we know where decision comes from”.  

“We studied the possibility of opening an office for Jazeera TV station. We will do so if Jazeera shows subjectivity, it will be welcomed in Syria and will have free access to watch the Syrian authorities implement item three of the Arab League’s initiative, meaning withdrawing army tanks from their position,” Muallem said.  

Muallem apologised on Monday for attacks on foreign diplomatic missions after the Arab League announced it was suspending Damascus for its crackdown on eight months of protests against President Bashar al-Assad. "As for attacks on foreign embassies, as foreign minister I apologize for these aggressions," Muallem told a televised news conference in Damascus.

Crowds attacked the Turkish and Saudi Arabian embassies in Damascus on Saturday night, as well as France's honorary consulate in Latakia and diplomatic offices in Aleppo.