Arab League plan seeks to internationalize Syrian crisis

TEHRAN,Jan.31(MNA) -- The Arab League’s recent statement on Syria, which was based on the reports of a team of observers the organization sent to the country, has called for the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the transfer of power to the vice president. The plan is similar to the plan that was proposed by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council for resolving the dispute in Yemen. The only difference was that the Yemeni government was supported by Saudi Arabia, but in Syria, the Saudis, with the help of Qatar, are making every effort to topple Assad’s government. The similarity between the two plans is deceptive, since the plan for Syria has specific objectives different than the plan for Yemen. The situation on the ground in the two countries is also quite different. The Yemeni people hate outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but Assad still enjoys a great deal of support in Syria. Supporting Assad and his government is a priority for a large segment of the Syrian people, while the majority of the Yemenis, from all denominations and socioeconomic groups, continued holding demonstrations for months until Saleh left the country. Moreover, no Arab League observers were sent to monitor the situation in Yemen. In light of all this, it can be said that the Arab League’s plan for Syria is only meant to internationalize the crisis. The plan is being supported by a number of countries outside the Arab world, mainly the United States. And the final goal of the plan is to facilitate a military intervention in the country. Although most Syrian groups and parties are opposed to the plan, it could still lead to a civil war, which is exactly what the U.S. and its regional proxies have been working for over the past 10 months.