From Jill Dougherty, CNN
Syrian Prime Minister Ryad Hijab defected this week, joining the list of several other high-level members of the Syrian regime who have abandoned President Bashar al-Assad as he struggles to maintain his grip on power.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Hijab's actions are another sign that al-Assad will fall.
"I'm not going to put a timeline on it," she said. "I can't possibly predict it, but I know it's going to happen as does most observers around the world."
But the prime minister is the head of the government, and the government does not rule the country. The real power in Syria is held by the true "insiders," al-Assad's blood relatives.
Maher Al-Assad – Al-Assad's youngest brother and rumored to be Syria's second-most powerful man. He is head of the elite, rabidly loyal Republican Guard and the 4th Armored Division.
Namir Al-Assad – The president's cousin who is one of the top leaders of the Shabiha, the mercenary force used to suppress the opposition.
Rami Makhlouf – The money behind the regime, al-Assad's first cousin is believed to be the richest person in Syria. He allegedly funds the regime's violent battle against protesters and rebels who are seeking to oust the president.
Ali Mamlouk – As the head of national security, Mamlouk had U.S. sanctions leveled against him for human rights abuses and violence against civilians. Almost all members of al-Assad's inner circle are Alawites, a minority Muslim group. Alawites make up less than 15% of the population. Three-quarters of Syrians are Sunni Muslims.
Most of those who have defected are Sunni, including the prime minister.
In July, one of Syria's most senior diplomats, Nawaf al-Fares, defected, publicly embraced his country's uprising and called for a foreign military intervention. Al-Fares was Syria's ambassador to Iraq.
Manaf Tlas, a Sunni general in Syria's elite Republican Guards, also defected last month. Tlas is the son of a former defense minister and a cousin of a first lieutenant in al-Assad's army.
Syria expert Hussein Ibish said al-Assad's inner circle has only one message for its fellow Syrians. " 'It's us or the abyss,' " Ibish said. " 'Stick with us or you will be massacred in your beds.' "
The regime operates like an organized crime syndicate, he said.
"So it isn't possible to reform because what you would have to do to reform," Ibish said, "is start dismantling a mafia operation, a set of rackets, a set of interrelated criminal enterprises."
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
This is really fascinating, You're a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of extra of your fantastic post. Also, I've shared your site in my social networks
Helpful information. Lucky me I discovered your website unintentionally, and I'm shocked why this accident didn't happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
I'm extremely inspired together with your writing talents and also with the layout on your blog. Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is uncommon to look a nice blog like this one these days..
Why CNN fears opinions which are opposite to the policy which the U.S. government is implementing in the Middle East in the name of "democracy' ? Do you really believe in the freedom of speech or you just want to mislead people thinking that every one is as gullible as the Americans to believe any thing that they are fed ?
But Assad is a reformer. Did not Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton say so?
Why there are no recent news about the fighting in syria? days ago we had everyday reports of the situation....
All communications were cut off a few days ago in Aleppo, not sure about the rest of Syria. That's the reason it is taking so long for updates, as all of the updates needs to come across the border into Turkey to be uploaded now
rest assured that all indirect news coming over that way, will only be pro rebel biased one's.
Wow surprise, surprise! A family of power hungry criminals. Wow what a new concept! ::: sarcasm :::::::
The Guardian: Intervention is now driving Syria's descent into darkness
Western and Gulf regime support for armed groups fighters isn't bringing freedom to Syrians but escalating sectarian conflict and war
Driving the escalation of the conflict has been western and regional intervention. This isn't Iraq, of course, with hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground, or Libya, with a devastating bombardment from the air. But the sharp increase in arms supplies, funding and technical support from the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey and others in recent months has dramatically boosted the armed groups' fortunes, as well as the death toll.
Well it is all well and good to repeat a bunch of trumped up pro-regime lies... like some sort of shabiha... to blame Saudi and the US and Qatar... who are doing too little too late to help the Syrian resistance...
It is all well and good to lie and claim this is all about Islamists... and talk about "Armed groups" like one of Assad's little yorky lapdogs...
It would be funny if people were not dying Maher...
It would be funny if Assad weren't using a bunch of Alawi shabiha militias to act like the new Hezbollat pigs....
You can feign outcry all day.... But it is Assad not "intervention" that is doing the killing.
There is no intervention. Typical regime talking point.
Sometimes you have to wonder how much some people are being paid to spread Assad's propaganda... bani klab.... while Russia and Assad and Iran secretly plot the division of Syria into Lattkia... and the rest.
shurely Shabiba is a big problem and they restarted after forbidden Muslim Brothers infiltrated peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in Latakia in 2011. Shabiba even killed army and police officers regulating the demonstrators corso.
But foreign rebel groups with an own agenda are at least a same problem.
I think Maher did not want to offend anyone but only stated that such a Black or White view of "only the rebels are good" even though their arrival into the country caused havoc, is irresponsible with respect of the unnecessary syrian and foreign blood that has since been spilled in Syria. And no i do not get paid for my statement and hope you do neither
If there is an increasing show of force by the opposition and success of its military successes then the Syrian inner circle will begin to crumble more rapidly.
The Guardian; War crimes by Syrian Armed groups must be condemned too
whats the problen Censor ?
, islam is a conformist supremacist ideology islam is as far right as you can get, islam & multiculturalism is a contradiction in terms, islam is the epitome of bigotry… lets be honest practically every left liberal ideal there is are done away with in Islamic cultures…do deny this is culpable in the continued in the repression of those unfortunate to be born in to this 7 century repressive rigid dogma- you are the problem & yes I do hate I absolutely despise flakes like you
Please, tell me you are just kidding and you are not for real when you said "Saudi Arabia has one of the highest standards of living in the world". Do you really think people in Saudi Arabia know what the ward LIVING it means? Do you know women cannot drive and cannot uncover their head, and cannot walk on the street without been occupied with a man….what Living are you talking about?
Now, you need to understand why are the Syrian people and Syrian government are fighting these terrorists and Al-Qaida and all the missionaries from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. They want to build an Islamic government in Syria, so women have no right and men are sheep.
Get out the deck of cards and start marking these guys fior death.
As the God fearing rebels say: Allaho Akbar
Change the "(dot)" to a dot in this address to watch their fear of God and democracy in practice:
youtube(dot)com/watch?v=I-D6F-Jw9wU
Al-Assad dos not have a gov.it is a bunch of henchmen.pnm.
USA braking news al-assads execution is going to come fast so let's not postpone it he hids like jihads an sadame in a hole whating to die with he's commy gov.of slavery.pnm.
I m just gratefuk to live in the us, whether they are coming for us or not. At least I CAN ENJOY MY LIFE FOR THE MOST PART. SEEMS THE MUSLIMS ARE KILLING EACH OTHER FASTER THAN THEY ARE KILLING US. THAT IN ITSELF IS A SHAME. SUCH ANGRY PEOPLE!
Wait to see the article about US politicians... Oh sorry, CNN has not received the command yet!
You are happy that you are living in the U.S.? Do you even know what your government is doing overseas ? Do you people have such a short memory that you forget what happened to you ? You either think that you live in a bubble or you just out of it that you do not know who your neighbours could be ?
GULLIBLE AMERICANS
We ban not seem to figure out which enemy to back.
Why is the us supporting the opposition to the Syrian government when they are allegedly islamists who are supposed to be enemies of the west in general? this will backfire.
Also, the innocent SYRIAN PEOPLE SHOULD BE FIRST AND FOREMOST.
Quit whin9ing, you loser!
Actually, you're the whiner.
really, you are the one who is whiner and the looser
"...C N N i s S # ( K ! ! ! "
Leave alone the Syrian people, believe me, they themselves are somehow sorted out without your help. Your so-called aid is nothing but death and destruction! What happened to Iraq, and Libya, after a gallant Yankee helped these countries? There's disruption! U.S. acts from a position of power who is strong, he is right, it's sad, and as history shows anything, even the most powerful empires crumble sooner or later, the higher your place in the world, the more painful the fall, think about it.
It's great to know that Muslims hate Infidels like me. It's also great to know that they 've gone through their quota of virgins in heaven. Sorry kids, Allah screwed them all.
Hate? No it is more an irritation of the nerve to the governments of some other countries. And note to the government, not the mere ordinary people, and especially not to people with another religion.
ps. I'm Russian.
and sorry for my bad english.
Why did CNN post this article in the blogs section ? stupid move and articles are well better organized under the regular site
A senior Iranian lawmaker says the situation in Syria has greatly improved compared to the state of affairs a few months ago.
Iranian Majlis (Parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Alaeddin Boroujerdi made the remarks on Saturday, adding, “The improvement curve in Syria is ascending.”
He also mentioned the consultative meeting on Syria held in Tehran on Thursday, with the participation of senior officials from 30 countries, saying the meeting was important.
“The proposal put forward by Iran’s foreign minister [at the meeting] about a three-month truce is a logical one,” Boroujerdi stated.
He also criticized the foreign countries interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, saying all the countries that support terrorists in the country, including the United States and its European allies, should be held accountable before the world.
“They [the West] seek to destroy the anti-Zionist resistance front to serve the Zionist regime,” he added.
Syria has been experiencing unrest since March 2011. Damascus says outlaws, saboteurs, and armed terrorists are the driving factor behind the unrest and deadly violence while the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the killings.
The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the armed militants are foreign nationals.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on August 1 that the country is engaged in a “crucial and heroic” battle that will determine the destiny of the nation.
Those who fight are put in a situation to do so....no one wants to take lives or die.
If you and I were in their shoes we might have done same. But see if you can help them out !!!!!!!!! i don't know how
So, is it ok for any group of poeple to thier own army and start killing and shooting becuse they don't belive same way they do?.... that what terrorist is ...
So, All is about the Syrian government and the Family of the Assad ha ?...stop the Lies..stop the lies ...stop the lies...stop kiling the syrian people and blaming the syrian government. most of the syrian support the government...not one syrian like US allies "Al-Quida" US is back with thier old friend Al-Quida and their powerfull media and powerull Propagnda machine...I just feel sorry for the people they believe all this crap... Please stop destroying syria and killing her people...
Stop lying yourself, low life commie thug.
I agree with you Joe, but seriously how stereotypical. Your comment is almost as bad as his, so do your fellow countrymen a favor and stop calling people you don't agree with commies or something else, just ignore them. It is their opinion, and if what I think is correct (you being American) you are making the rest of us look bad. Seriously dude come on use some tact.
What part was the lie ....who build Al-Qaida? Who is sending and supporting Al-qaida now in syria....Do not take my word for it go find out ...is al-qaida in syria..is US sending suppport to them ....if you are so stupid to know that US is sending arm and money and equiptment to syria ..then you are a dump ass
Some dude, let see how amerian you are...you remind me with charlett web movie ....you are SOME PIG...not some dude
Tom, I thought you are from US...I did not know you are from Assland
Maher – Isn't Assland where your Mother and Father came from. You are a pathetic and sick piece of Middle Eastern garbage!
Maher, you're so full of it, you smell like a pig.
not realy..you are the pig ..because you have no answer..but to call me names
Maher – In my country we raise pigs to kill and eat,. In your country you think they're unclean, but manage to act like them towards other religions/people. Your kind acts more like pigs than the ones we raise for food!
Tom, in my country we eat bigs too , you are such an ediot you have no idea. That just proof my point ...you need to know the truth and not assume and repeat after CNN....FYI..I am not muslim..and I do not leave in Syria I live here in the heart of US Wichita,ks...just so you know...go and get fact do not assume. Now go and read a book ...don't come back on line ...until you finish that book...good pig
Maher – Then we need to ship your miserable American hating azz back to the Middle East where you can again be with your friends from the Stone Age. We DON'T WANT OR NEED YOU in the U.S.!
you and your Assad will burn in hell sooner than later. Ass kisser
you will burn in hell you and Al-qaida
Don't listen to the dumb down, brainwashed zombies who still believe in peace bombing nations and love the puppet traitor government. The U.S is run by Jesuits/Talmudic Jews/Freemasons and are murderers. cnn/fox/abc/cbc and the rest of the Main stream media are propagandists and indoctrinate ad brainwash people into thinking that the U.S is still a free nation, about nation building and peace. The U.S along with the nato nations are as corrupt or more so then Russia/Iran/China/N.Korea.
Tom, I love this country, but I hate stupid people like you. and I woner a lot wher the fk people like you come from? people Like you support the hate and the killing, people like you cheer for Al-Quida... the only place I wish for you to go is hell ,,,or back to your Assland
Maher – If you loved this country, you wouldn't badmouth like you do. I can only surmise that your either an Islamic agitator or just some [pathetic slimesuckimg goat herder! Which fits you, Tinkerbelle?
Stupid people like you do not unerdtand logic...you need someone to tell strair how stupid you are ....stupid
Maher – Why do you insist on showing us how prejudiced and perverted you are. I'd think that you'd have learned by now that everytime you open your mouth, hate and perversion spew forth.
http://www.france24.com/en/20120809-reporters-syria-Aleppo-Salaheddin-rebels-Bashar-al-Assad-damascus-regime-france24
It should be very clear here that Clinton is in fact supporting jihadists that have every intention of asserting sharia law and establishing the caliphate the shared goal of all by very definition true muslims. They most certainly will come to power, and they have made no secret of their goals – Just like the muslim brother hood now tangling themselves in our society
Bob, that is very ignorant and orientalist of you. What makes you think that Muslims and their religion is the root of all evil? Why is Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam or any other religion any different? Religions at their core all share the same core values, it is how evil people manipulate religion to do what they want. The right wing Christians in this country do the same thing to well up fear and anger within their masses, so that people go out and kill Muslims and seikhs (has happened multiple times recently). One guy burns down a mosque. Do you assume all Christians are the same? You should go out and actually meet some people instead of hiding in your basement getting angry at every minority that you don't understand. People like you are the problem!
I am surprised I can not see anything here about drinking blood of new-born babies and wearing there skins! I guess it all will be in the next issue of the propagandist series! Nice: looking forward to read the next article from the esteemed CNN author!
So let me get this straight..we go invade Iraq for imaginary weapons of mass destruction but refuse to intervene to help the Syrians who are being massacred and who's government readily admits and threatens to use WMD's. Am I missing something here? Why are we not bombing the crap out of Assad and the Al Quadas running around in Syria too? Don't they have enough oil for us to rob to make it worthwhile? Politicians make me sick. Hidden agendas, hypocrisy, deviance..yep, the US govt hard at work..
You got that so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jaded you got it right. not enough oil . Not good for Israel in the long run.
I couldn't agree with you more!!!
Who said there threatening to use wmd's? Cnn? What a joke. The same wmd's that the U.S used in Iraq? The U.S and Nato nation are the true problem with this world. You're ALL falling for the obvious lies. NDAA is so obvious. Thats just the start. Maybe Romney will do better? He works for the same people in London. The U.S is done, they are coming and being let in.
your position mostly correct
You politicians may be crap, but one thing they have that you do not are brains.
I am a Aussie and understand the situation over in the midddle east quite well, I cant believe these people sticking up for Assad... wow.... it started out peaceful demonstrations the government didnt like what they were doing so starting shooting them (Murder) then the people started fighting back, just like other countries over that way and the poor people are now being slaughtered while the world talks,debates and whatever, just like rwanda, bosnia but meanwhile innocent peole are dying, little kids, women, old people.
What will it actually take till someone actually helps these people in a meaningful way to stop the suffering.
I am not that naive to not know there are other political forces etc at work here but for gods sake lets do something to stop this !!!!!!!!!!!
let tell you something I am from Syria , and you do not know crap about the middle east..stop supporting the terrorists and killing the syrian people and blame the syrian government ...the policy of US is to get red of the Current Syrian government no matter what is the price and no mater how many syrians wil die as long as they acheive thier agenda
Stop the BS...your Gov. was torturing people for the US and other western countries and now all of a sudden you are foe.
You were sucking up to the UK and the US not long ago. Just go away.
Maher, or should I say Bashar, you and your Syrian government are killing people. A friend of mine just went over to help in Jordanian refugee camps, and she has said that every person talks of indiscrimate shelling, shabiha massacring people, etc. The government is the only one killing innocent people. Just because the Syrian loyalists are too blinded to see reality, don't think that the rest of world is as well. Your ridiculous rhetoric only works amongst yourselves.
Should I call Moose Or Moshedian, I am talking to people in syria not to people they are going from here to the Jordian camps... to help futher the agenda of US...to tell more lies ... sooner or letter syria will get red of these terrorists, syria has and it will continue to be a civilize nation ...not war Mangos ...take your terrorists get out of syria...if you too blind go on the U-tube and see what are these thugs are doing to the pepeole in syria...CNN and you are liers
well,, there we have it,, "mafia"..read,"orginised crime".. out in the open at the last,..lets suppose this is the main driver of this conflict,, what does this tell us??.. think now,,,OC is!! truly gobal these days,.."smoke and mirrors" to cover other more serious activities??.. this is very much the usual OC play isnt it??..it is all! connected to the "opium triangle" at its source,, and that should tell us all, a lot, no?..note how family members and long term "pals" are at the head of this deal??. very! common,..goes that way all the way to the true, real heads of crime etc,.. always!,,, we! said in 08,quote;"wherever we find these serious human rights abuses? we will find orginised crime",.. the actions, the language, the transfer of blame, the use of others to deflect attention,, all are flags,,good one CNN,, hey, facts is facts, so be it, no??..we suspected fro the get go that the drug trade was the real! driver in this, and libya, and Egypt, and! and! and!,.. hey,,sure enough,..quacks like a duck?? thats a duck!,..It is no good blaming any one country for this deal,, it is "orginised" after all,..follow the money $$$,..and there will be the real perps,..as we can see from this article and the billionaire crims in play,..ya know, one very high level OC crims said to me, in 2004,quote"we know this is all coming to an end, and we dont care, as long as we gets ours"...note the use of "WE"??....language people,, it matters,.."as long as we get ours"...they dont care how many women and children die and are maimed,, it is all!! about the $$,, and that is why,,,follow that,, and get the real! true! story,, and it is often not what we think at the first go,,"smoke and mirrors" are like that,..no??..btw, its not the suit that really matters, it is the filler! that does,..any moron with a few $$ can buy a suit,..cant buy integrity though, can we??..
And you dug up all this information where???...hmmmmmm in a movie???
Could anyone tell me which side is Al Qaeda? Assad or rebels?
Al-Quida and USA and Saudia arabia and Turky and Quatar = Partners in killing the Syrian People
the rebels are the Muslim brother hood, just today they killed 9 Christian in village near homs, they are killing any one who back up the government... I am not lieing they through someone from his home out of his window from the fourth flour because he is a government supporter.. you can see it some where on U-Tube, and they killed today two press civilian just because they are government supporter ... this is a war against not just the government but against the syrian people
The level of hypocrisy, hidden agendas and blatant lies makes the US the biggest terrorists of them all. The CIA employs Al Quada. The US intervenes only when they stand to get something (oil) Our sworn enemys are on the US payroll..the list goes on. Conspiracy to murder is what the whole US govt and their partners in crime should be charged with.
Prove it.
It's the CIA amd Allied Intellegence is who will find out what different cells are operating on the ground. Which is what states should be concerned about when Syria's monarchy loses the majority of the support from their population.
What appeared to start out as civil demonstrations has turned into chaos. If a new government doesn't take the place of Al-Assad then Syria will enter a dark age.
Love it, I absolutely love it. Ramp up the media and lets get this Evil portrait out there as quickly as possible. We need to make this guy and his whole family out to be the reincarnation of Hitler Himself. It gives our little campaign of terror some legitimacy. Yeah we are arming some radical militants who are basically terrorists trying to overthrow a sitting government, but hey it's in the name of "Freedom" isn't it? Hahahaha keep drinking the Kool Aid people
You are right Mary! It certainly takes some doing: to cook up monsters which would make well known jihad terrorists look like your peace loving freedom fighters. So CNN works hard, but at the end of the day it would make even somebody like Dr. Goebbels proud! And these gullible people are buying anything: you just feed them any kind crap! That is what amazes me: not the lack of conscience and amount of bias your "free press" demonstrates...
Oh they aren't "free" they are VERY well paid to spin for the powers that be..
Couldn't agree more. Yep, yesterdays sworn enemy, Al Quada is suddenly on the gov't payroll. Partners in crime. Working hard to overthrow a legitimate (although brutal..though not as brutal as the terrorists who want to run the place) government so that CRAZY iSLAMIC terrorists can take over. Why? Iran of course!! It all boils down to setting the stage to get to Iran. The Syrians children and other innocents who are being killed are just "collateral damage" in the eyes of the US. All part of their great plan to further their own selfish interests. Yep, just another day at the office for the US govt. It's just sick.
Finally a sensible comment. So many zombies in this world.
If they don't crack, then we will.
You will
This is what your governmentin the usa and uk and the western world israel trukey, saudi and qatar and the gulf and other countries neigbouring to syria are supporting and funding
read below this quotation:
'On 12th March this year, Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, the grand mufti of Saudi Arabia, declared that it is “necessary to destroy all the churches of the region.” The mufti based his decision on a story that on his deathbed, Muhammad declared, “There are not to be two religions in the [Arabian] Peninsula.”
Churches have always been banned in Saudi Arabia, but in the Iraq of Saddam Hussein, in Syria, and in other Muslim lands before they came under the sway of the George Soros-funded Muslim Brotherhood, Christians were allowed to practise their faith and formed a thriving minority community.
As the Washington Times reported at the time: ‘This is not a small-time radical imam trying to stir up his followers with fiery hate speech. This was a considered, deliberate and specific ruling from one of the most important leaders in the Muslim world. It does not just create a religious obligation for those over whom the mufti has direct authority; it is also a signal to others in the Muslim world that destroying churches is not only permitted but mandatory.’
Saudi Arabia is supporting the Syrian rebels with money and weaponry.
You forgot to mention the Assad has been supported by russia, china, and the terrorist gangs in iran, iraq and hizbollah.
and All 911 terrorists where supported by Saudia arabia. Syria is a country and has the right to make it own relationships with any country they wish...and they are liable for thier action as a country ...terrorist are not
Oh the same terrorist gangs the Bush administration suported when they went into Iraq!!!
I wonder where in the world you got this rubbish type of information?
Given that Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah died in 1999, it seems unlikely he said that.
What is part of the record, is that Osama bin Laden considered Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah an enemy, and Osama's first address was a criticism of Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah, as the Sheik supported the Oslo peace accord between Palestine and Isreal. The Sheik also supported allowing US troops to be stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Good story, bro. It is great fiction. I bet you read it to your kids every night.
A leader who fails to act until every group has been heard from, every concern addressed, every human rights issue resolved, is a leader who is abdicating responsibility.
Bernie, even if a leader practices such ethics in a country like Syria, Afghanastan or Iraq, The population LOVES to kill EACH OTHER regardless of who their leaders are and how the leader practices his leadership. There is NOTHING anyone can do about it.
You are ignorant, and have the same mentality of the Syrian government. You would probably make a great tyrant. The people of those countries love killing each other? What the Hell are you talking about? They are people just like anyone else. They deserve to live just as much as you do. It sounds like you are projecting your anger towards all your non-white neighbors onto all these people. I am glad I don't work with you, because god knows when you are going to "go off".
Eventually the inner circle will crack. But it will take alot longer then we think (1+ yrs.)
I would have no problem with FSA over Assad but they are bunch of Christian hater, Shiite hater criminals and outsiders not Syrians. I prefer Assad at any moment. They hanged a 3 year old Shiite boy after killing his whole family. They have shot Christian families point blank and have displaced 80,000 of them so far. Search Vatican news. What kind of a freedom loving people are you? or I better say humans?
you are one fat lair. assad tried to forcefully arm christians to get them on his side, but they refused! assad is against ALL freedom seekers regardless of their religions. The first person killed by assad in Homs was a christian.
you need to stop watching too much Al Dunya station.
which news do you watch dude seems that you watch only syrian state run TV. Assad is a thug he has killed so many people muslim , christian and alawi. He tries to control the minorities in syria by putting fear in their mind. He is friends with nobody he is friends with only those who will help him control syria. Like gaddafi said democracy is an arab word it is derived from the word demo kursi that mean stay on your chair so thats assad form of democracy. I know people who have died in syria and so many were young school and collage kids. so you are saying those kids with justin bebar hair styles and jeans clad iphone carrying kids who were killed by shabbihas and assad army were actually hidden muslim fundamentalist yaah right.
Listen Maher Assad, stop wasting your time on these message boards trying to spin what is going on in Syria. Your government is killing innocent people, and you can't blame it on anyone else.
Assyria, I am a syrian . and I know what you are saying and I hear this every day how these thugs are killing christians.. and civilians .but some people here like Moose and other like him they can not get thier head out of thier ass to lisen to the syrian people...they like the propagands..that is fed to them
You must be a troll
Assyrian? What the hill is that?
just sitting back and watching what the muslims do best–kill each other–you see they hate not only jews and christians but themselves...all we are saying is give peace a chance...wait a minute we are talking about muslims...-sunnis vs. shia..vs. kurd..vs. allawiate..you get the picture–you see who ever does not think that muslims are evil have not taken a breath for the past 50 plus years–
I agree with you. Besides wasn't Husein Ibish the Palestinian who was representing CAIR after the 911 attacks? Now he is suddenly an expert on Syria. They cannot make up their minds
Jimmy; Bingo, Bingo, Bingo. And there is NOTHING anyone can do about it (short of genocide)
Jimmy the sad thing is that the US military comples is funding it all!!!
it seems that recently USA has simply become a tool (biting dog) of Sunni Wahbhi agenda and Islamists Geo-politics with the lease in the Saudi and Qatari hands. Now they are using USA to demolish the Shia Islam threat and next with no regional threat, they will use all their energies to start a renewed Jihad against USA.
Incoherent raving
You said tool
Ask Zakaria – he will give you a prediction and then lie after it is proven wrong, or worse pagiarise another journalist, but then got caought and suspended by Time for 1 month.
All Assad needed to do 18 months ago was to open up the country to real reforms. Instead he had his army and armed gangs supporting his regime shoot, imprision and torture protesting civilians. Assad and his henchmen desire death. If there is justice in this world each and every one of them will receive it.
Would a Mafia family open up its territory for legal and social reforms? No, and neither would the Assads.
Hillary Clinton's inner circle included Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton. She couldn't place a timetable on when Bill Clinton would defect and join Monica in the corridors.
1) no-fly zone 2) anti-tank weapons. 3) UN monitored elections.
There's really no difference between this situation and Kosovo. And now, citizens have died than did in Libya before NATO got involved.
Kosovo was a total @hitstorm dude ! You had three factions fighting against each other including genocide of muslims. We should just let Syria collapse and sweep up the pieces. Iran is their handler not us. Let Iran fix their problems.
We sided with the wrong side in Kosovo. The Serbs were responding to terrorist attacks by the Albanians. What we did to the Serbs would be like if we started bombing Israel because they reacted to some Muslim blowing up innocent women and children in a pizzeria.
USA , western world, Israel... Logic is like this:In syria they are called rebels but in afganistan the same ones are called terrorists!!!By the way the source is one and were created and supported long time ago first by the british intelligence al wahabi deal with Saudi and oil and protection... then the USA took the lead and the uk and west followed and that role of course a dirty role to fuel and fund extremists to serve its interests oil gas... at the expense of innocent civilians and true peaceful christians , against russia soviets...etc of course with the help of gulf countries saudi qatar money and oil... from the time of Brzenzki era ... and now turkey and the new islamist H.Clinton and neighboring countries to syria...But they claim to be innocent of all that and that makes me really laugh... specailly the media jazeerah arabyiah online websites...oil funded media, and CNN BBC...The problem that people are not stupid, and they know the truth, People got used to their lies and know their double standards, it is becoming really old.... they are doing this again and again and for a greater intertest and geo political interests gas and pipe lines... and maybe even exporting their huge financial problems , but till now syria and russia proved them wrong and know their intentions. Lastly what goes around comes around , it is just how nature and things work. I would advise the west and usa to stop funding and fueling those extremists and clean the mess that they created and to stop allying with the strict gulf like saudi kuwait and qatar... Syria is against any extremist who kill innocent people or peaceful non muslim people like christians and they fight them, and in Syria by the way for those ignorant and do not know the truth
they allow women to drive and they call christians, christians and have many churches and respect them they do not call christians kouffar going to hell therefore christians should be killed this is what saudi or pakistan or.... do and have, I really do not understand why the US and UK and ...are funding and allying with the obvious wrong side against even the west own morals and principles, the public should fight their corrupted lobbies and their blind interests.
The Syrians should of followed Egypt footsteps, respect the army they are the ones who will protect you.
This is truth......Saudi Arabia is the biggest terrorist supporting nation in the world & i dont understand either why USA is too busy supporting Al-Qaida in Syria just like it did in Libya.....its crazy.....if theses animals do come in power the lives of all minorities including Christians will be in danger & it will turn into another Iraq or Afghanistan.....Its sad...Media has to start speaking the truth....Or they should not call them selves Leading news channels but instead call them self Misleading news channels.......Shame on all you.
Honstly, gab and Sam ....people like you make this country so great... my hat is off to you ....honstly..please do not stop blogging and spreading the truth and educating people like Moose and Tom and others...
Don't have to "educate" me, goatherder! We Americans have already been informed as to your perverted religions' plans for us infidels. You can plan on a lot of us left standing after you perversions of humanity are wiped from the face of the Earth. Keep pushing, and it'll happen sooner than you think!
Like Gadhafi, al-Assad is overplaying his hand.
And it is likely he and his family will meet the same fate.
.
GADDAFI = GREAT MARTYR AND HERO!
GADHAFI = DEAD CRIMINAL
.
PressTv.IR = Great Troll and infantile mentality
I see CNN has fooled you too. One of their trusted sources released this video yesterday of a so called "Freedom Fighter" arranging to have gun shots fired during your broadcast with him on the air. He clearly states "Get the gun ready" "Get the gunfire ready we're about to go on." He even says "Get me a mattress out here." That's how calm it is. It is quiet and calm before the interview and then of course as soon as he goes on the air you can hear all of the chaos and gunfire. Here's a link to the video They've already been busted several times staging gun fire during the Syria and Libya conflicts. Here's proof. http://www.youtube(dot)com/watch?v=r6ONQO0FDQQ&feature=colike
his family is about 4 millions and 4 Millions Christians and 2 millions kurds and 2 millions Duruz and 3 milllions Sunni...Trust me the other 6 milions Sunni cannot and will not be able to even make a hole in the Syrian Army... they can terrorize the counrty and they can kill civilians .. Terrorist can do that any were in the world. Syria is not Libea, and Assad is not Qudaffi. Syria is very strong country with its Army and with its people and her Allies... this is not an easy pray...Hiillary ..said it will be a few weeks and the syrian government will collapse ...its been a year and half since she said that...and no government can hold against these waves of violance and these wave of media lies and attacks...but syria can..because of her people are stand by thier government and thier army...becuse they are fully aware of the danger of the Al-Quida and the Salaffi torrerists
What a bunch of crop from this garbage of network!!!
The Syrian army has attacked armed groups’ positions across the country, inflicting heavy losses on insurgents fighting against the government.
According to Syrian authorities, the army has inflicted huge losses on armed groups in Aleppo's al-Eda'a and Saif al-Dawla districts on Friday as heavy fighting between government forces and armed groups continues in several other neighborhoods, including Bustan al-Qasr, Halak, Bab al-Hadid and Darat Azzeh.
Syrian troops also located and stormed a warehouse used by insurgents for storing weapons shipped from Turkey. There are also reports that tribes in some districts of Aleppo have joined the army in its fight against armed groups.
Meanwhile, Syrian troops clashed with foreign-backed armed groups in the western city of Homs, Damascus suburb of Manin, and also near the Iraqi and Lebanese borders. Dozens of insurgents were killed during clashes in Manin and a large number of terrorists were injured in Homs.
The Syrian army has launched a mop-up operation against insurgents in the northern city of Aleppo since Wednesday and so far, several districts, including insurgents' stronghold of Salahuddin, have been cleared of terrorist groups.
Foreign-backed armed groups have been carrying out terrorist attacks in Aleppo since July 20 after they were defeated in the capital, Damascus, and were forced to flee.
Some reports suggest that anti-government insurgents operating in Aleppo may have been provided with chemical weapons. The insurgents have also acquired dozens of the portable surface-to-air missiles.
Syria has been the scene of deadly unrest since mid-March, 2011 and many people, including large numbers of army and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on August 1 that the country is engaged in a "crucial and heroic" battle that will determine the destiny of the nation.
No mention of how the Syrian army has been indiscriminately shelling, strafing, and bombing its own cities?
YES, THEY DO MENTION THAT THEY ARE BOMBING CITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF TERRORISTS FUNDED BY QATAR, SAUDI ARABIA AND THE WEST. BUT THE WESTERN MEDIA (CNN) REPORT THAT THEY ARE BOMBING THEIR FREEDOM LOVING INNOCENT UNARMED CIVILIANS.
The fact remains that syrians are kicking their own butts like hell whether alawite,sunni or kurds. The UN is helplessly wringing its hands on one side looking on while syrians butcher themselve! This is another Rwanda in the making!
The Mafia analogy is great! Bashar al-Assad is the Michael Corleone of his time and place. Look at all the parallel coincidences...There is a book and a movie waiting to be written...
Where are the patriots (or th CIA operatives) to eliminate some of these dudes? Just remember when Yeltsin got on top of the tank and ordered them to fire on the old guard. Yeltsin was a brave patriot. (He also liked women and booze)
If we could do it to Bin Laden, we can do it to these bums.
Eltsin almost destroyed Russia – that's why west liked him so much.
why should be get rid of these bums exactly?
russia, china, iran, etc. is fuelling the syria conflic, for them to sell their weapons.
You are clueless... Qatar and Saudi Arabia are fueling the uprising.
No Bob, you're the idiot, The rebels have machine guns. Syria is using tanks and helicopters from the Russia and also gets weapons and support from Iran.
IN addition the people who are fighting the regime are patriots just like the ones in the US when we overthrew the Crown.
Get a clue, loser.
right. they're backed by US though. Qatar and Saudis are just puppets.
@clearick
Crown didn't have elections – Syria does.
By you logic it's OK to try overthrowing current US government?
@Stan: youre kidding right? Elections? Choice A: Bashar al-Assad, Choice B: death by torture..... hmmmm, I wonder who I will vote for....
@Stan. If you call the 'voting' for a sigle candidate (Bashar) every 7 years, then yes, Syria has election.
Isn't it interesting two totalitarian states Saudi and Qatar are fighting for imposing 'democracy' and 'freedom' in Syria!!! It seems that certain arrogant and biased media houses are now insulting people's intellect.
Bob, the uprising is not being fueled by Qatar and Saudi. The uprising started when people in the Middle East realized that democracy was possible and they started protesting for more rights. The government started massacring protesters, and you got a full-blown rebellion.
In short, it was crimes against humanity committed by Bashar that fueled the uprising.
right on david. It is not hidden or accusation, they even announce helping the assad regime commit his atrocities
How about you tell us why we are funding and arming Al Quada in Syria? http://www.youtube(dot)com/watch?v=KcZKso_Z6M8&feature=player_embedded
Here's another link: Ben Swann reports – http://www.fox19(dot)com/story/19232163/reality-check-the-us-government-actually-created-al-qaeda
Come on Anom- it is common knowledge we created AQ in the 80s. It served it's purpose and then came back to bite us in the a$$. Personally, I would rather arm them and watch then see our nation's bravest die in another $h1thole middle eastern country. I say arm both sides and reap the profits- good enough for Iran and Ru$$ia.
correction–*than see our nation's bravest.
You are ignorant
Moose, stop been stupid and attcking people...I think you and your friends the one you lied and said went to jordan to help the refregees...stupid lier
IS CIA RUNNING OUT OF GREENBACKS FOR MERCS YET?
Fake news. CNN you've already been busted several times staging gun fire during the Syria and Libya conflicts. Here's proof. One of your trusted sources released this video yesterday of a so called "Freedom Fighter" arranging to have gun shots fired during your broadcast with him on the air. He clearly states "Get the gun ready" "Get the gunfire ready we're about to go on." He even says "Get me a mattress out here." That's how calm it is. It is quiet and calm before the interview and then of course as soon as he goes on the air you can hear all of the chaos and gunfire. Here's a link to the video http://www.youtube(dot)com/watch?v=r6ONQO0FDQQ&feature=colike
HAhhahhahahahhahhaa!
F000CK CORPORATE MEDIA.
Good to hear from an idiot named Stan
Finally a list of some of the real players. Pretty good work by CNN. Assad is obviously a buffoon and simply the showman of his family who have control of the wealth, army, and national security. All relatives too, so defection is unlikely. This civil war will probably be a long one.
CNN calls the Cabinet of this government "MAFIA"-
Nothing like a little impartial, you know.... Journalism.!!!
CNN has only itself to blame for the lack in viewers, readership or legitimacy with the American/ Worlds people.
They either blindly parrot the B.S. spouted from someone in DC with ZERO challenges to the elite who are looting this Nation and wasting our $$$ and Service members in worthless wars for the profit of those who supply and contract- Or they go along with whatever narrative in in season-
CNN HAS ZERO LEGITIMACY BECAUSE THEY PRACTICE ZERO JOURNALISM, ONLY INFOTAINMENT AVAILABLE AT CNN.
You are 100% right!!!
Those who supply and contract, do you mean American gunsmiths by any chance? You say we are wasting taxpayer dollars on this war, but the reality is that increased spending on military attracts a lot of attention from international bankers, helps American manufacturers, and can actually benefit our economy, not to mention there is MUCH more coming out of the Department of Defense than guns and bullets. I always find it ironic that liberals typically use a computer and internet, or maybe even mobile phones, to bash our military and its supposed "waste" of taxpayer dollars. Also, do you ever look into the vast medical advances that have come out of our Department of Defense? Point being, the more you look into where our defense budget is being directed towards, the more you realize that increased spending on military actually protects our troops and increases the standard of living for pretty much everyone.
So why don't you go somewhere else to get your news?
I think if CNN wants to be "fair and balanced" they should also cover the U.S. Federal MAFIA.
bla bla bla...until you report the truth behind who the terrorists, you'll continue to see 90% of the comments acknowledge that Assad is not the terrorist here, and the foreign interests are no match for the Syrian Army.
The syrian government are the only terrorists here. No matter how you spin it, they are the only ones sending in militias to kill women and children, cutting off water and electricity, and bombing residential areas indiscriminately.
Relentless CNN war propaganda. How about you report on Free Syrian Army atrocities -torture, beheading, civilian killings. U.S. is supplying weapons and supplies to FSA through Qatar. The U.S. through Turkey is providing safe haven and training for the FSA. The FSA is largely comprised of Al Qaeda and Jihadist groups. The U.S. gov't is openly supporting Al Qaeda, not the first time, (Mujahideen) just under a different name now. If you lost a family member on 9/11, who the U.S. gov't claims is responsible for 9/11, should it bother you the U.S. now supports the "enemy"? I think it should.
Relentless CNN war propaganda. How about you report on Free Syrian Army atrocities -torture, beheading, civilian killings. – They have. Go read other articles. For example the article about the FSA acknowledging its rebels have committed these acts and are working towards stopping it. Plus the Syrian military/shabeeha reap the outcome of their actions.
U.S. is supplying weapons and supplies to FSA through Qatar. – You think we care? This is a good thing.
The U.S. through Turkey is providing safe haven and training for the FSA. – Also a good thing.
The FSA is largely comprised of Al Qaeda and Jihadist groups. – Don't forget the flying pink unicorns.
The U.S. gov't is openly supporting Al Qaeda, not the first time, (Mujahideen) just under a different name now. If you lost a family member on 9/11, who the U.S. gov't claims is responsible for 9/11, should it bother you the U.S. now supports the "enemy"? I think it should. – You really have to remember taking your prescribed pills. You're getting nuttier by the second.
Thank you C. I alwys like to read up on how the MSM spins this stuff and your post is truth and not what our government wants you to believe and to know about the "rebels".
American Eagle= another sheep. The government never lies to us. The government never steals from us. The government is always right and would never take us to war for a good reason. the government will always take care of us.
Nothing but dis-information and propaganda for sure. If it wasn't so mendastic it would be pathetically funny.
They want to report on the REAL mafia, try the Rothschilds.
yep, then add in Soros, Kissinger, Rockefellers, etc...
The true syndicate.
I Agree with you, CNN is one of the worst bias news media available. Shame on CNN that became non American!!
This is a pretty farfetched statement. Al Qaeda has lost a majority of its power already thanks to Bush. The people who support the FSA are fighting for their freedom, not Al Qaeda. The US has done nothing but watch from the sidelines and offer help through Turkey while the Syrians beg the outside world for more help, but of course the libs will write anything off as propaganda if it will give them another excuse to hate what our military has done. Democracy is the antidote to terrorism. When you give people the right to govern themselves, the terrorist regimes that control them, strip away their rights, and shove Shari'a law down their throats become obsolete, so the idea that we are promoting terror by supporting freedom is just simply an oxymoron.
DAMASCUS (SANA) – President al-Assad Issues Decree Appointing Dr. Wael al-Halqi as Prime Minister
President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday issued Decree No. 298 appointing Dr. Nader al-Halqi as Prime Minister.
The new Premier who served as Minister of Health in the current session of government was born in Daraa in 1964 and obtained his medical degree from Damascus University in 1987.
Dr. al-Halqi rose in the ranks and became the health care directorate in Jassem city between years 1997 and 2000 before being named Secretary of the Daraa branch of the al-Baath Arab Socialist Party from 2000 to 2004.
In 2010 Al-Halqi served as Chief of Syria's doctors.
Prime Minister Al-Halqi is married with four children.
BOSRA (PRESS TV) – France has sent troops towards the Syrian border in an escalation of foreign interference into Syria's internal affairs and on a condition of anonymity Syrian military officials relate:
'This will have serious ramifications for the Jordanian government who may find themselves embroiled in the midst of a bitter regional conflict when reprisals follow and are brought to bear upon them by the axis of resistance for allowing foreign troops onto their soil to assist armed thugs who have been hired to indiscriminately kill Syrians.'
France counters it deployed "soldiers" to help refugees in the border area.
You make it seem like people are gonna be outraged that France or any other country is going to militarily help te rebels. People don't mind. We know they're soldiers and know what they're there for. High five to France.
To Aaron Chaney, you r quoting SANA (the syrian regime media) and an Iranian media. Both of those are meant to lie to these two countries citizens and to be believed by fools like you. (Only fools).
Right. Press releases by the mouthpieces of two brutal dictatorial regimes (Syria's SANA and Iran's Press TV). You must've been a big fan of Baghdad Bob.
That's funny. Quoting media owned by the state, and holding that as the golden truth when you have free media worldwide competing against each other for survival and believing none of them. That's when you know you're brainwashed.
ALEPPO (SANA) – Army Extinguishes More Armed Gangs In Aleppo And Clears Out New Districts
SANA confirms many armed insurgents were routed in the Hanano neighborhood of Aleppo by Syrian Armed Forces as they clear out more areas of the beleaguered northwestern city.
Syrian Armed Forces on Thursday also announced they have pushed armed men out of the Aleppo districts of Asileh and Bab al-Nasir.
After an engagement in the Bustan al-Basha district when the terrorists suffered the loss of scores of men and were forced to withdraw from the Salahuddin neighborhood, the military determined these terrorist elements have foreign-backed mercenaries within their ranks.
+
Syrian Army Cleanses Key Quarters Of Aleppo From Armed Elements Sowing Sedition
Syrian armed forces reported Thursday they have cleansed the al-Asiyleh and Bab al-Nassr areas of Aleppo from armed terrorists groups.
Meanwhile, these same competent authorities entered a stronghold of armed terrorist groups in the nearby al-Shifa roundabout at Halab al-Jadida (new Aleppo) Quarter.
A reliable source in the province told SANA several terrorists were killed by military personnel who continue their mission of purging the al-Nairab and Salah Eddin Quarters from Gulf-sheikh mercenaries.
The "Operation Target Traitor" campaign has also advanced deep into the Aleppo neighborhoods of Bab al-Nasr, Sabaa Bahrat, Bab al-Hadeid and also trade markets located throughout as units of the Syrian Armed Forces surround that region and target terrorists deemed imminent threats to residents.
Inhabitants have welcomed these army cadres and wholeheartedly express their united support for the military's effort which seeks to cleanse these respective districts from illegally funded armed assassins.
+
Special Forces Unit Storms The Terrorist Hideout Near Carlton Hotel in Aleppo
Many terrorist corpses were tagged alongside the weapons they possessed which competent authorities seized after a terrorist position near the Carlton Hotel in Aleppo was raided by a Special Forces Unit who subsequently subdued a host of these terrorists.
By decree these individuals will likely face a judicial tribunal as outlined under Law number 22 after being formally charged as terrorists who have flagrantly committed atrocities against the state.
+
Armed Forces Units Derail Terrorist Activity in Hanano and Khan al-Wazir Areas
An official military source said a unit of the Syrian Armed Forces engaged an armed terrorist group in the Hanano area of Aleppo and fatally wounded dozens of its members before several surrendered their weapons and a remnant managed to flee into the countryside.
A second detachment clashed with armed terrorists in the Khan al-Wazir area and the source added this group had turned a house into a base of operations for the attacks it waged against citizens.
Each and every member of this extremist group were sequentially eliminated following an intense 5 hour exchange of gunfire.
why is every news source you quote either Syrian national news or Iranian national news, news agencies run by the two biggest terrorist governments in the world. Why don't you also quote the Chinese national news while you are at it? These are all propaganda tools by the terrorist governments.
Terrorists Killed And Wounded In The Hritan Area Of The Aleppo Countryside
A decisive strike was launched by Syrian Armed Forces against an armed terror group located in the sprawling Aleppo Countryside which caused many of these terrorists who weren't killed to capitulate and surrender.
As Syrian Armed Forces move forward with their mandate that seeks to cleanse the remaining quarters of Aleppo from armed terrorist, a source at Aleppo Governorate confirmed the troops were fearless as they entered the Hritan area.
The reliable source also relates the bodies of mercenary terrorists were positively identified as Libyan, Yemeni and Afghani nationals following that engagement inside the Bustan al-Basha region.
Units of the Syrian Armed Forces intend to scour the landscape for the whereabouts of terrorists who fled and field reports indicate many have poured into the Al-Myassr and Masaken Hanano areas.
Upper echelon officials within the military command structure pledged those who escaped would be captured as they continue their mission of tracking down and summarily extinguishing any and all individuals who have aligned themselves with terrorists.
TAL KALAKH COUNTRYSIDE (SANA) – Terrorist infiltration attempt foiled
Border guards dispelled the notions of a group of terrorists who tried to infiltrate Syria from the Lebanese territories via the Noura site in Tal Kalakh countryside in Homs.
A SANA source in that province relates a heated encounter took place which saw a handful of terrorists die while others sought refuge by making their way back into Lebanese territory.
Meanwhile, military officials working with competent local authorities dislodged an armed group who attacked law-enforcement in Tal Kalakh city by collectively bringing their weight to bear on them which has resulted a significant loss count for the armed insurgents.
HASAKA (SANA) – Terrorists Arrested, Large Cache Of Weapons And Explosives Seized In Hasaka
Security forces in cooperation with inhabitants of the town of Hasaka arrested a number of individuals who have been charged as terrorists in the Ghoriyan neighborhood and explosive material these individuals were storing in that province have also been confiscated.
An official source in the province told a SANA reporter that authorities arrested Majed Abdul-Rahman Mohammad, Adel Hamdan, Qussai Hammoud, Ghazi al-Eleiwi and Mohanad al-Eleiwi, all of whom were classified as terrorists who pose an imminent threat to the well being and safety of the at large public.
Weapons in their possession included RPG launchers, bullet chargers, pump-action rifles and explosive devices which were ready to be detonated.
Authorities announced a mobile field hospital has also been seized.
HAMA (SANA) – Competent Authorities Dispatched To Contend With Terrorists Who Attacked Law-enforcement Personnel In Hama
In Hama, authorities on Wednesday pursued an armed group that attacked law-enforcement personnel in al-Karakat area to the north east of Qala'at al-Madiq and many of these individuals were wounded according to a source in the province who confirmed terrorists Ahmad Refaat al-Hassan and Hussein Shayes Ajam were identified among the dead.
Are those Syrian government officials, bc the Syrian govt are the only terrorists in Syria. they must be related to Bashar.
TEHRAN (RIA NOVOSTI) – Ahmadinejad: Only Way Out Of The Syrian Crisis Is Through A Political Solution Based On The People's Preference
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stressed the need to resolve the crisis in Syria through political steps based on the preferences of the Syrian People.
During his meeting in Tehran on Wednesday with Sughra Imam, the Special Envoy of the Pakistani President, Ahmadinejad singled out specific regional countries who are interfering in the affairs of a sovereign nation which further complicates the situation and could lead to a broader regional conflict.
The Iranian President nevertheless concedes that earning people's freedom and the right to vote isn't achieved through war.
This was also the primary focus of a high profile meeting held in Iran which was attended by foreign dignitaries from many nations, including the leaders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Mecca whose delegation has adopted a stance that offers both a political and local solution to the Syrian crisis rather than armed conflict.
+
Salehi: Our Meeting On Syria Discussed Ending The Violence
Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi chaired the consultative meeting on Syria which saw participating countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America invited during when Salehi made clear, "The main thrust of our Tehran meeting is to offer concrete solutions that can diffuse and put an end to the violence immediately and begin a national dialogue in Syria."
The FM added that Iran is very concerned about western meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation and that a Libya style scenario will not be tolerated.
Salehi said participants at the meeting unanimously agreed that the best way forward to restore peace and stability to Syria is a national dialogue which will pave the way for a satisfactory solution.
Foreign Minister Salehi also revealed diplomatic efforts are underway to release 48 Iranians who were visiting Syria before they were kidnapped by armed terrorists operating inside the country.
+
Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdullahian was also on hand during the symposium and said his country supports the plan put forward by former UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, which offers a political solution to the crisis that would put an end to the violence in Syria.
Abdullahian noted that the meeting embodied the political will of a bloc of participating countries which can solve the crisis peacefully.
They forgot to show Putin as the Godfather.
Keep up the propaganda Jew owned media,Assad ain,t going no where,so keep paying your mercenaries and send them to the slaughter house,and when some Mos-sad,CIA,NATO,Saudi agents are caught.I hope they slash their throats in a public square.
You're delusional if you think that Syria will return to what it was before the revolution. Even if the same power structure is in place, Assad as president is going to end, no doubt about it. There's still a very good chance that the whole power structure gets removed anyways. The rebels don't even have to win, they just have to keep the civil war going in which Assad's goons will continue to massacre people. Eventually the world will step in with force.
Assad is winning now. Why do you think there's been a large tone-down of "What's Next After Assad" type articles. Check out the Real News Network.
It's only 5 guys keeping the regime going, causing all the death and destruction? I say to hell with them! Give them a couple of drones right in their beds!
Yep, let's assassinate government leaders now. Just don't cry foul when ours are then targeted.
American troops aren't killing Americans. That's a big difference. Another is that most Americans support an elected government, even if the people we elect turn out to be fools. Even further, we are able to retaliate against attacks very effectively.
Interesting Obama has more people in his 'mafia' then Assad.
Sadly we Americans lack the passion and commitment to take to the streets to fight for our freedoms. If only another country wuold help fund, inspire and arm us to take down our incompetent political system and start anew. The current system is thoroughly corrupt and no longer serves the real interests of the country.
Assad will be the first one to run and hide without saying a word to his other family members
I guess you support the terrorists that are funded by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
They'll crack when the $ dries up.
I, and a good majority of Syrians, prefer to live with a Mafia than to be subjected to 7th century backward Wahabi and Salafi ideology. Really as simple as that.
The move to Saudi Arabia.
I believe you didn't understand my comment. Any way, Saudi is the worst place to live in, on earth. Why? Because it is run by a mafia AND is still living under the 7th century Wahabi backwardness!
Why is that the choice? How do you know? With all of the apparent nepotism and being ruled by a close-knit group of relatives, you're obviously not free. I don't know the Syrian people, but I don't thin they would just submit to some Islamic radicals as leaders. Every citizen has a duty to his nation to make it what they can, and to not accept corruption or dishonesty or abuse of power. Whether it is religiously based, or based on greed, it's still the same thing- the people are not getting a fair shake.
People get the government they deserve - the Syrians get Assad, we get Obama - simple as that...
"Why is that the choice?" That is a very valid question. If you listen to many Syrian opposition leaders, you get the impression that the future Syria will be an oasis of freedom and harmony between its ethnic and religious groups.
Do your self a favor and go to their social media page (unfortunately, you need to speak Arabic), and see what the rebels on the ground respond with when the leaders make statements that go along common acceptable human rights ideas (like don't kill captured enemy fighters). You will be shocked as a Westerner.
As a middle easterner, you will be reminded that Arabs are known for saying what the world wants to hear despite how different it is from what is going on on the ground.
Until the west stops idolizing the rebels and taking a black and white approach to this debacle, I really don't see an end in sight. Some say THAT is the plan any way. That, being no end in sight.
I'm sure you know about it more than I do. But they are calling themselves the Free Syrian Army not Jihadi this or Hezbollah that. As I see it, no one in Syria has any legitimacy to lead since this is not something based on force but on submission by people to a legitimate authority. Just because someone removes Assad doesn't mean they get to assume the mantel of power. Until the majority of the Syrian people agree without being compelled by force, this revolution isn't over.
"they are calling themselves the Free Syrian Army not Jihadi this or Hezbollah that" yeah, like the 9/11 hijackers called themselves Al Qaeda or the killer who shot 4 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, admitted he was a Taliban. Wake up, please.
Then have the courage to change things. Stand up against these systems. Die like a warrior if needed, but go down fighting. MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNT.
Reform was ongoing in Syria. It was slow, and the majority of it was economic (which is badly needed) but with a large young population who witnessed their country transform from a USSR-era closed economy and with world recognition of these accomplishments (notice that the U.S. had an Ambassador in Syria which speaks for that), the youth is willing to give Bashar a chance.
What you are witnessing in Syria, now, is not the "revolution" sold by media, it is:
1) A cold war between East and West
2) An attempt to isolate Iran by the West
3) Revenge by the Muslim Brotherhood who got wiped out of Syria after years of terrorizing its people
4) Sunni oil-rich countries spreading extreme flavors of Islam and countering Iran's influence in their backyard
5) Turkey's new vision of becoming the leader of the Muslim world (although people are starting to see the Turkish for what it really is, a lot of talk and no action)
6) Certain Lebanese factions taking the rebel's side as a payback for Syria's 15 year presence in Lebanon (which some credit with stopping the civil war there)
And with a very complex ethnic and religious mosaic, if you still think this is a typical revolution based on democracy and removing a dictatorship, or Mafia according to CNN, then you should keep enjoying the koolaid!
Bezboz, now I know you are kidding yourself.
1. Syria is a majority Sunni region, not Shia.
2. Ongoing reforms mean nothing if the people at the top remain in their positions.
3. This uprising had nothing to do the friction between the East and West. It had everything to do with economic fairness.
4. Syria and Lebanon are both products of Iranian ambition, enabled by the US removing Saddam.
5. The Sunni leaders hate the Shia and vice-versa. But the West is more comfortable doing business with the Sunni!
6. Neither Israel nor the West wants to see Iran dominating the region. Iran is nothing but trouble to Israel and Lebanon and the Syrian people. Assad has always been antagonistic to the West, whatever comes after him would probably be better. So from an external standpoint the West wants him gone, but has done very little to help the rebels. This is more of a Sunni-Shia battle with Russia wanting to hold onto it's naval base and the US wanting to contain Iran.
As for the Syrian people, too many have abandoned the regime for it to have any credibility now.
1. Syria is a majority Sunni region, not Shia. [When did I claim it was the other way around?]
2. Ongoing reforms mean nothing if the people at the top remain in their positions. [It might not mean much to you, but I doubt you lived in an Eastern block economy]
3. This uprising had nothing to do the friction between the East and West. It had everything to do with economic fairness. [It would have been over long time ago if it wasn't for external forces]
4. Syria and Lebanon are both products of Iranian ambition, enabled by the US removing Saddam. [Iran's Islamic revolution happend in 1979. Lebanon's civil war started in 1975 and Syria's Baath regime took power in the late 60's. Glad you know all your facts]
5. The Sunni leaders hate the Shia and vice-versa. But the West is more comfortable doing business with the Sunni! [Have you noticed who supported Saddam and the current dictatorships in the Gulf? Still feel comfortable with supporting them?]
6. Neither Israel nor the West wants to see Iran dominating the region. Iran is nothing but trouble to Israel and Lebanon and the Syrian people. Assad has always been antagonistic to the West, whatever comes after him would probably be better. So from an external standpoint the West wants him gone, but has done very little to help the rebels. This is more of a Sunni-Shia battle with Russia wanting to hold onto it's naval base and the US wanting to contain Iran. [Said like a perfectly brainwashed CNN intellect].
1. Syria is a majority Sunni region, not Shia. [When did I claim it was the other way around?] You didn't, but you also didn't mention that Assad is a minority Shia, as is Iran.
2. Ongoing reforms mean nothing if the people at the top remain in their positions. [It might not mean much to you, but I doubt you lived in an Eastern block economy] IF you want real economic reform, you don't want to follow the old Eastern model!!!
3. This uprising had nothing to do the friction between the East and West. It had everything to do with economic fairness. [It would have been over long time ago if it wasn't for external forces] I agree with that, if Iran wasn't supporting the regime it would have collapsed already. The Syrian regime started with a huge advantage having all the guns and military equipment. The rebels have very little equipment just what they get from winning battles and Syrian Army defectors.
4. Syria and Lebanon are both products of Iranian ambition, enabled by the US removing Saddam. [Iran's Islamic revolution happend in 1979. Lebanon's civil war started in 1975 and Syria's Baath regime took power in the late 60's. Glad you know all your facts] You misunderstand my point. Iran didn't create those nations, France and England did. England and the US also caused the Iranian revolution and appointed the Shah. I know the history. My point is that Lebanese politics have changed because of Syrian and Iranian influence. And Syria is still controlled by Shia because of Iran. This is disturbing to Turkey and to the Saudi Peninsula, which is also fighting Al Qaeda types as well as Shia uprisings. Based on the way things were before Saddam was ousted, this situation has become much worse. He may have been a brutal dictator, but he kept the Shia out of influence and constrained Iran.
5. The Sunni leaders hate the Shia and vice-versa. But the West is more comfortable doing business with the Sunni! [Have you noticed who supported Saddam and the current dictatorships in the Gulf? Still feel comfortable with supporting them?] They do business, don't you get that? The only thing these countries are interested in is oil, because they are dependent on it. They can't do business with Iran, not while they are hell-bent on Nuclear weapons and territorial control!
6. Neither Israel nor the West wants to see Iran dominating the region. Iran is nothing but trouble to Israel and Lebanon and the Syrian people. Assad has always been antagonistic to the West, whatever comes after him would probably be better. So from an external standpoint the West wants him gone, but has done very little to help the rebels. This is more of a Sunni-Shia battle with Russia wanting to hold onto it's naval base and the US wanting to contain Iran. [Said like a perfectly brainwashed CNN intellect]. Yeah, so where's your evidence that it's not that way. There are no US troops in Syria, there are no Saudi or Qatari military in Syria. So how is this an East/West thing at all? The West didn't cause it and neither they or the Russians like the current situation, but Syria has been a long-term ally and they would like to retain that relationship.
As for the Syrian people, too many have abandoned the regime for it to have any credibility now. I see you didn't address this, I wonder why! Is it because you know that I'm right?
Again, said like a perfectly brainwashed CNN-reading intellectual.
I am not here to do research for your questions. What my comment meant is YOU need to read other sources of information to learn what is really going on in that part of the world.
Yet the Americans thought enough of his regime to send suspected terrorists there for questioning.
No not "Yet". "Because of this"
War. Religion. Oil.
What else is new(s)?
Why can't drones be used overthere as they are in other countries?
Rebels need help, not only sympathy.
The rebels are getting our help. But the only thing our military can tell the media and other countries is that we are giving them intelligence help.
Drones do not work unless you have air superiority, which the rebels do not have.
The US gov't is only provide non-lethal support at this time. While direct involvement, could save civilian lives, it would also take some.
As far as the drone overflights, it would take a week or two of manned flights to destroy Syria's air defense systems. The country is chaos, so it would not be running at 100% effectiveness. Besides vetoing UN resolutions, Russia has also sold Syria quite a few anti-aircraft missiles. So many, that perhaps Russia is hoping the conflict extends a bit, so they can help Syria get rid of the last of their foreign currency reserves.
Not to mention, that Russia is also fearful that middle eastern countries build a pipeline to Europe, bypassing the stranglehold that Russia has over natural gas to Europe.
So Francis Dykmans You would rather want and support the already proven terrorists backed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia?
Is this really any different than the way Saddam Hussein (Sunni) treated the Majority of Shia in Iraq?
In this case the roles are reversed and the Majority (Sunni) are oppressed by Alawites (a sect of Shia)
In both cases it is equally wrong.
But what do you think is going to happen when Sunni's take control they will slaughter the Shias and Christian minority and there is already in fighting between various Sunni sects on who gets control on rebel controlled areas and on top of that we have Al qaeda moving in. This is Lebanon 2.0
A few bad apples here and there doing things like that may happen but it wont be a policy. If it does, well that's what happens when you persecute people for so long.
I do not know what will happen to the Christian Minority in Syria. Christians in Syria and Lebanon and Egypt have a difficult situation. I would not want to be living in those countries . They are in constant fear.
Al Assad did not persecute the Christians in Syria and if the Sunni's take control we are in the unknown. A scary place.
I'm with Big D, Putin has got to go too!
hillary you are just the secretary for the distric of washington d.c. that is all so shut your nasty mouth about everything else outside of your perimeter. I got $5.00 dollars that says russia can beat iran in war.
Ah, Tea Partiers. They're not big on the real world learnin', but you have to admire their resolve in the face of all facts.
Wow???? What in the world are you talking about????? Russia vs Iran, Secritary of State = DC??? Go BACK TO YOUR CAVE NOW PLEASE!!
I dedicate the song "Crazy" to this crisis.
Kill one or a few people and it is murder. Get convicted and its a long stretch in prison, or death in places that have the death penalty. Kill thousands, see the writing on the wall that your time is limited, and "defect". You get to live out your life in at least relative luxury, and are never made to answer for your actions. What a screwed up world this is.
The rich and powerful take care of their own unless you cross them. All nations need more oversight on the power structures, decisions, and behind the scenes individuals. Without this the majority of people are going to continue to be treated as cattle and sheep. Even in the US. We're provided enough rights to make it seem like we have freedom and can determine our own fate but in reality, for things that truly matter, we're cattle prodded, every single one of us.
Then they have a similar governing structure to us here in the US. We have more in common with them than we care to admit. I know it is hard for Hillary to admit that she has been defeated, but that is what it looks like and that is what you get when you put your nose where it doesn't belong. It is a good thing she is leaving office at the end of the year.
These guys will hold out to the end. They already know what their fates will be. So they are determined to take as many as possible to their graves with them.
They have an out, whch is to move to Iran. All these people are cowards and will run if they start to really believe that their time in power is coming to an end. Second, they're probably trying to squeeze out ever dollar they can steal from the government resources which are meant for the state. Then they'll take the billions and escape to Iran. But only if enough of them get killed or their homes destroyed.
Joe the Troll you Rebel supporters have been claiming for 18 months now whose paying you Joe CIA?
Wearing suits and appealing to the U.N. does not make Assad (or the Iranian president) any more civilized. This regime is a modern day absolutist monarchy. They use terror to pursue subversive, and destabilizing political agenda. They do so at the cost of the average people.
Wearing suits and appealing to the U.N. does not make Hillary Clinton (or the Saudi King) any more civilized. This regime is a modern day absolutist monarchy. They use terror to pursue subversive, and destabilizing political agenda. They do so at the cost of the average people.
Throwing empty world does not make you smart...Oh sorry the King of Saudia Arabia does not wear Suit ..neither Hillary Clinton..I think nothing makes them civilized anyone not even the cloth they wear
Saudi Arabia has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Sure hey execute people, the US executes people and so does China. They just don't throw stones at people or castrate them. All these nations have an ongoing interest to better their own societies. The Iranian regime only want to keep its society in a frenzy so it can hide the fact that it is stealing all the oil money for itself. The Iranian regime actively peruses a policy focused on killing innocent people. This = uncivilized...
OffTheWorldPolitics I hope you were joking when you stated the following.
"Saudi Arabia has one of the highest standards of living in the world."
Yeah thats why Saudi Arabia has the largest unemployment rate of 20% to 30% and if you are not for the king's family they will throw you out in the streets.
Or worse.