Syrians vent anger as West hails Arab decision
Syrian's rally to show their support for their President Bashar al-Assad in the capital in Damascus yesterday, a day after the Arab League suspends Syria's membership.Photo: AFP
Massive pro-regime crowds vented their anger yesterday d after an Arab League decision to suspend Syria over its bloody protest crackdown which was hailed by the western powers.
In central Damascus, tens of thousands of people turned out in support of Assad, waving Syrian flags and portraits of the embattled leader, said an AFP reporter at the scene.
"The people want Bashar al-Assad," yelled demonstrators gathered at Sebaa Bahrat Square, also chanting patriotic slogans.
Footage broadcast by state television showed another massive rally unfolding in Omayad Square, also in the capital.
"The Syrian people are filling the squares of the nation and announce their rejection of the Arab League decision," state television said, showing more pro-regime protests in the commercial hub of Aleppo and other cities.
Meanwhile Iraq slammed the Arab Legue decision as unacceptable and urged for more dialogues on the crisis.
Arab League foreign ministers on Saturday voted 18-22 to suspend Syria over its failure to comply with an agreement to end the crackdown on a nationwide protest movement calling for Assad's resignation.
It called for the withdrawal of Arab envoys from Damascus and agreed on sanctions while inviting "all currents in the Syrian opposition to meet at Arab League headquarters in three days to draw up a joint vision for the coming transitional period."
The opposition Syrian National Council hailed the Arab League decision, and said it is ready to take part in the proposed talks regarding a transitional period.
Shortly after the Arab League decision, hundreds of angry demonstrators attacked the Damascus embassies of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, two of the 18 members of the pan-Arab group to vote for the move.
One group forced open the gate to Qatar's embassy and made their way to the top of the building, where they removed the Qatari flag and put up a Syrian one, as embassy security personnel fired tear gas, an AFP reporter said.
Another group hurled stones at the Saudi embassy before smashing windows, entering the premises and ransacking property inside, said the Saudi state news agency SPA.
Saudi government strongly condemned the attacks.
The pro-regime protests came after world leaders applauded the Arab League decision.
"After the Assad regime flagrantly failed to keep its commitments, the Arab League has demonstrated leadership in its effort to end the crisis and hold the Syrian government accountable," said US President Barack Obama.
At least 150 Syrians have been killed since the regime signed up to a Arab League plan to end the violence.
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