Scottish Catholic Observer

Patriarch of Antioch, Gregory Laham, the spiritual leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, and most senior Catholic cleric in Syria, has said Syria is passing through a ‘big ordeal.’ but it will overcome the crisis under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, and called on all citizens to pray for its stability.

A statement by the Patriarchate’s Council criticised the Arab League’s  recent resolutions on Syria, which condemned the violence used by President Assad’s Government in dealing with the eight-month long uprising.

Patriarch Laham (right) said that the Arab League is ‘separating, not uniting,’ and ‘it will not taste victory, but failure’, adding ‘Syria, Lebanon and Palestine are the measure of security, stability, coexistence and democracy.’

King of Jordan’s comments

However on Monday Jordan’s king became the first Arab leader to openly say Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should stand down.

King Abdullah said that if he were in Mr Assad’s position, he would make sure ‘whoever comes behind me has the ability to change the status quo.’

He urged President Assad to launch dialogue with the opposition to effect an orderly transition.

“If Bashar has the interest of his country, he would step down, but he would also create an ability to reach out and start a new phase of Syrian political life,” he said. “That’s the only way I would see it work and I don’t think people are asking that question.”

Criticism and protest

Jordan, which borders Syria, has been increasingly critical of the crackdown on anti-government protesters. Arab leaders have increasingly criticised the crackdown in Syria after months of violence.

The head of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, said last weekend the organisation was ‘studying mechanisms it could implement to protect civilians in Syria.’

He spoke after the league voted to freeze Syria’s membership, a move that sparked pro-government riots in Syria. France has joined the condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. It summoned the Syrian ambassador to Paris on Sunday to demand an explanation for attacks by Assad loyalists on diplomatic missions in Syria, including its own, following Saturday’s suspension.

Turkey, which has begun withdrawing non-essential diplomatic personnel and families of diplomatic staff, called on the international community to ‘respond with a united voice to the serious developments in Syria.’

The Saudi and Qatari embassies were stormed during Saturday’s pro-Assad protests, and new mass rallies by loyalists were held on Sunday.

With Syria’s suspension not due to take effect until Wednesday, Damascus has called for an urgent Arab summit and invited Arab League officials to visit.

Opposition sources said the repression of dissent continued on Sunday, with nine people reportedly killed by security forces.

According to a report, which could not be verified independently, security forces shot and bludgeoned to death a schoolboy, 14, in the town of Dir Az-Zour after he refused to join a pro-government march.

The UN says more than 3,500 people have died since the start of the protests in March while the Syrian authorities blame the violence on terrorists.