Top stories from DAWNS Digest.
Arab League Head Says Syrian Regime is a “Killing Machine”
The Security Council held a lively discussion on Syria late yesterday afternoon. Perhaps most notable was the strident tone taken by Arab League representatives at the meeting. “Arab and Western states urged the U.N. Security Council to act swiftly on a resolution calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step aside as his government’s forces reasserted control of Damascus suburbs on Tuesday after beating back rebels at the gates of the capital. The comments were apparently designed to confront Russia over its reluctance to support the resolution and condemn Assad’s government for its violent suppression of the protests. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby called for the council to take ‘rapid and decisive action,’ on a resolution that would endorse the league’s demand that Assad delegate powers to his deputy and defuse the 10-month uprising against his family’s dynastic rule. ‘Do not let the Syrian people down in its plight,’ Elaraby said. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim warned the 15-nation body that Syria’s ‘killing machine is still at work.’” (Reuters http://reut.rs/xOUUZU)
Whither Senegal?
Once a paragon of stability in west Africa, Senegal is teetering on the edge unrest ever since President Wade has embarked on a totally unconstitutional bid to run for president…again. A court validated his quest for a third term and this set off the masses. “Throngs took to the streets in the West African nation this week to protest the Friday ruling, with protesters clashing with police in the capital Tuesday. In the capital of Dakar, an opposition group demonstration turned violent Tuesday night when a speaker called for protesters to march to the presidential palace. One protester died and dozens were injured, state media reported. Angry mobs burned tires and hurled stones at the police, who responded with tear gas and advanced in armored vehicles. Footage on local news stations showed a man run over by an armored car as he tried to run away from the police.” (CNN http://bit.ly/yT0unN)