Arab League proposes unity government in Syria
The Arab League demanded Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hand over powers to his vice president following the formation of a national unity government.
It called for the Syrian government to start a national dialogue with the opposition within two weeks, and for the new government to be formed within two months.
Earlier, Arab League Secretary-General Nabil el-Araby said the group will request an extension of its monitoring mission in Syria and an increase in the number of observers there.
The mission was scheduled to end last Thursday. It was not clear whether Syrian officials would accept the offer.
The secretary-general said the Syrian government has not complied with some parts of an Arab League agreement aimed at ending a violent crackdown on protesters. Syrian officials are treating the crisis as a security problem, he said, noting that armed opposition factions controlling some areas made it difficult for observers to do their jobs.
But Arab League monitors have seen some aspects of the situation improve, he said.
“The presence of the Arab monitors provided security to opposition parties, which held an increase in number of peaceful protests…in the areas where the monitors were present,” el-Araby said.
Before el-Araby’s statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said his nation planned to withdraw its members of the observer team, according to an Arab League official. Prince Saud al-Faisal told Arab League foreign ministers that “Syria did not comply with the Arab resolution plan,” according to the Arab League official, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media.