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Syria attacks Saudi over arming opposition calls
DAMASCUS, Syria Syria lashed out at Saudi Arabia on Saturday, a day after the kingdoms foreign minister backed the idea of arming the rebels fighting President Bashar Assads regime, accusing Riyadh of becoming a partner in the bloodshed in Syria.The sharp riposte from Damascus, which was published in a state-run newspaper, came as activists said at least 68 people were killed across the country and regime forces pounded rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs. Syrias traditionally cold relations with Saudi Arabia have plunged into a deep freeze since the 11-month-old uprising against Assad began. The Sunni power in the region, Saudi Arabia has been a harshly critical of the Assad regime, which is controlled by the minority Alawite sect, and its brutal crackdown against the mostly Sunni opposition. A Saturday commentary in the state-run Al Thawra daily sharply criticised Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal, who said during Fridays 60-nation gathering in Tunisia that he supported giving weapons and ammunition to groups fighting the Syrian regime. I think its an excellent idea, Prince Saud told reporters in Tunisia. Asked why, he replied: Because they have to defend themselves. Al Thawra said that the prince, by rudely supporting an armed opposition, has become a direct partner in shedding more Syrian blood. Its shameful for the vocabulary of the Saudi speech to reach this level ... and to announce so rudely support for terrorists, Al Thawra said. The paper reflects the Syrian governments point of view. In August, Saudi King Abdullah issued a harsh statement against Assads crackdown and recalled the kingdoms ambassador to Damascus in protest. Since then, the ambassador has not returned and Saudi officials have been campaigning against Assads regime worldwide. Posted by: Steve White 2012-02-26 |
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