Hague backs Arabs to act on Syria

Arab countries should push ahead with action to end the violence in Syria, William Hague urged, promising the backing of Western countries after Russia and China blocked United Nations support.

The Foreign Secretary agreed that the two countries had “blood on their hands” and would embolden the Syrian regime in pursuing its deadly crackdown by vetoing a draft resolution.

Moscow and Beijing drew international condemnation for their stance on Saturday, which came hours after a bombardment by security forces of the city of Homs which activists said killed more than 200 people.

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But the regime denied any bombardment and there was no way to independently confirm the toll. It has painted the uprising as the work of terrorists and part of a foreign conspiracy.

Mr Hague said the setback must not halt efforts to secure a peaceful political transition in Damascus – suggesting Britain could join any Arab League move to sever diplomatic relations.

The international community was “not contemplating military action” however, he declared.

“The main way forward now is for the Arab League to pursue their plan in any case,” the Foreign Secretary said.

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“They do not need the permission of the United Nations, although it would have been good to have a clear mandate.

“They should pursue their plan, they should intensify their own pressure on the Assad regime to stop the killing and allow a peaceful political transition.

“Arab League foreign ministers are meeting in a few days’ time. We will be having discussions with some of them and will encourage them very much to intensify their own pressure.”

Tunisia has declared that it is withdrawing its recognition of the Assad regime and expelling Syria’s ambassador and called on the policy to be adopted more widely by the League. “Any decision by them to do that would weigh very heavily with us,” Mr Hague noted, though he said there were good reasons for trying to maintain a diplomatic presence in the country.

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Mr Hague accused Russia and China of “turning their backs on the Arab world” – joining a chorus of severe criticism from across the globe of the double veto.

He thought Syrian president Bashar Assad would have been emboldened by the Russian and Chinese veto. “That does mean that Russia and China bear increased responsibility for what is happening. They will have to face up to that responsibility.”

Asked if he agreed that any future blood shed would be “on their hands”, he said: “Yes, I do agree with that.” The country was moving closer to civil war, he believed.

Mr Hague said the UK and allies had made “huge efforts” to secure support from Russia and China – making many amendments to the draft resolution.

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All other Security Council member nations had been signed up, he said, meaning they were very isolated “in the indefensible position they have taken up”.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UN stalemate was “a stain on the conscience of the world”. Immediate measures should include hardening asset and travel bans and economic sanctions.

Former Prime Minister Sir John Major said the UN should not now lead international efforts over events in Syria.

He said: “(Russia and China) are effectively giving the green light for a pretty bad regime to murder people.

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“One needs to put it bluntly so they understand what they have done and so the world understands what they have done.

“As far as what other nations can do, it’s possible to apply sanctions through the European Union, it’s possible to apply sanctions through nation states, it’s possible to use diplomacy.”