Syria: Arab League Demands Change Amid E.U. Sanctions Talks

On Tuesday Arab League delegates demanded “immediate change” in Syria and an end to violence.  The League’s 22 representatives, meeting in Cairo, released a statement calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to enact a list of measures discussed during Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi‘s visit to Damascus last week. Steps included a ceasefire, “the release of political detainees,” and the forming of an Arab League investigative mission to Syria to be deployed once violence is replaced by “dialogue.” Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani of Qatar called Syrian actions tantamount to a “killing machine.”

Pressure from the Arab League coincided with the European Union’s decision to expand sanctions on al-Assad and other regime figures.  Though the specific details of the sanctions must still be finalized, they are expected to be implemented before next week’s United Nations General Assembly meeting.  Among the tentative measures are a prohibition of European investment in the Syrian oil sector, a ban on the importation of European bank notes, telecommunications company Syriatel, and companies that supply the Syrian army. Another session of discussion regarding the proposed sanctions will take place Thursday.