Middle East: Syria’s Assad lost legitimacy - by William Hague British Foreign Secretary

Twelve months ago, a dozen school children from the southern Syrian town of Deraa were arrested for spraying anti-regime graffiti on walls. A week later these children were returned to their parents bloodied and bruised. Some had had their fingernails pulled out. They were not even teenagers. In previous years, they would have remained nameless torture victims of Assad’s regime. But in 2011, the people of Deraa drew on the inspiration of their Arab neighbors and rose up in a protest that has now engulfed the whole country. 

Today the situation in Syria casts a long shadow over the Middle East. The cruel statistics of the regime’s repression speak for themselves: more than 7,500 Syrians have been killed, including 380 children, and over 10,000 detained without cause or trial. Grainy amateur footage has caught snipers in the act of shooting into funeral processions. The Homs district of Baba Amr has become a symbol of this regime’s shameful disregard for human life and its mistaken belief that legitimate aspirations can violently be suppressed. 

The revelations this week that women and children were massacred in Homs show more clearly than ever that Assad has lost legitimacy and can no longer claim to lead Syria. The ongoing violence also shows that violence will never win out and that the regime is increasingly weak. Assad should step aside in the best interests of Syria and the unity of its people. One year after the regime first tried to stamp on dissent doing so to allow a genuine dialogue on transition would be the most fitting way to mark this tragic anniversary. Until it does, we will not forget the people of Syria for a single day.

For more: Syria’s Assad lost legitimacy

Turkey seek world action as Syria’s Homs bleeds

Syria’s army pounded the rebel city of Homs on Wednesday as Turkey sought international action to protect civilians from former ally President Bashar al-Assad, a move that risks the wrath of Russia and China.

Dozens more were killed during the day, according to the opposition, drawing comparison with the plight of Benghazi which triggered Western attacks on Libya last year and accelerating a global diplomatic showdown whose outcome is far from clear.

“I’ve seen whole families killed this week,” an activist called Ahmed told Reuters from Homs, the scene of one of the bloodiest government onslaughts in the 11-month-old revolt against Assad. “Now I feel like I’m just waiting to be the next to die,” added the accountant aged 28.

For more: Turkey seek world action as Syria’s Homs bleeds | Firstpost

Arab League Approves Syrian Sanctions - by NEIL MacFARQUHAR

The Arab League approved tough economic sanctions against Syria on Sunday because of its violent crackdown against antigovernment protesters, an unprecedented step against an Arab country.
The sanctions included a travel ban on officials and politicians, a halt to all dealings with the Syrian central bank and the cessation of all Arab projects in Syria.

The finance ministers drafted the sanctions on Saturday at a meeting in a hotel in the Cairo suburbs rather than the league’s headquarters in Tahrir Square, the scene of clashes last week between security forces and protesters seeking to hasten civilian rule in Egypt. The sanctions will be another blow to the Syrian economy, which is already suffering from sanctions by the European Union and the United States.

Syria depends on its Arab neighbors for half of its exports and a quarter of its imports. Its two most vital sectors, tourism and oil, have ground to a halt in recent months.

For more: Arab League Approves Syrian Sanctions - NYTimes.com

Egyptians rally on 'last chance Friday'

Thousands of Egyptians demanding an end to military rule converged on Cairo's Tahrir square on Friday in what activists say will be the biggest day yet of protests in a week of violence that has seen at least 41 people killed.

The generals who have governed Egypt since people power toppled President Hosni Mubarak on February 11 are facing a major challenge to their authority.

Activists who accuse them of trying to cling to power have once again turned Tahrir into a centre of mass demonstrations, producing scenes similar to the uprising that toppled Mubarak.

Note EU-Digest: Egypt's military rulers rejected calls Thursday to delay parliamentary elections scheduled to take place next week and issued a strongly worded statement that has the potential to further polarize the country as it reels from a week of violent protests.

For more: Egyptians rally on 'last chance Friday'| News24

Syria`s UN Envoy: EU is "suffering from Syria-phobia"

Syria’s UN envoy on Monday slammed a draft UN resolution that aims at condemning the Syrian government’s eight-month crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Syria's U.N. ambassador accused Britain, France and Germany of declaring political and diplomatic war against his country by sponsoring a U.N. resolution that would condemn Syria's human rights violations calling it a “declaration of war” on Damascus.

For more: Syria`s UN Envoy: EU is "suffering from Syria-phobia" | English | NEWS | DayPress

Egyptian Revolution Relaunched:

As tens of thousands pour into Tahrir in preparation for a million man march, and as demonstrations erupt throughout the country, Ahram Online provides a blow-by-blow account of a new day in Egypt's ongoing revolution.

Egyptian Revolution Relaunched: Live updates from Tarhir and around the country - Egypt - Ahram Online

Military assault in Syria

Syria's crackdown on activists seeking the ouster of President Bashar Assad continues to draw international condemnation. An estimated 3,500 people have been killed in the country since March according to the United Nations, which also notes dozens of people are arbitrarily arrested every day. Hover over the markers below to read more about recent events in the country.

For more: CBC News - MAP: Military assault in Syria

Gadhafi's death energizes Syrian, Yemeni protests

Energized by the killing of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi, thousands of protesters in Syria and Yemen poured into the streets Friday and said their longtime rulers will be next. The uprisings in Syria and Yemen have proved remarkably resilient even as the governments relentlessly try to crush the revolts. The U.N. estimates the Syrian crackdown has killed some 3,000 people since March; in Yemen, the figure is believed to be around 500 since late January.

For more: Gadhafi's death energizes Syrian, Yemeni protests | ajc.com