“Friends of Syria” meet in Tunis to call for ceasefire

Representatives from more than 60 Western and Arab countries are meeting in Tunis, Tunisia today to call for the Syrian government to implement an immediate ceasefire and to allow humanitarian assistance for civilians and people wounded in violence. The group is not expected to discuss military options but will threaten increased sanctions if the Syrian regime doesn't comply within days. Former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan was appointed as a special envoy by the United Nations and the Arab League to represent the organizations in efforts at ending "violence and human rights violations, and promoting a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis." Syrian state TV referred to the conference as a meeting of "symbols of colonialism" and said the countries attending were "historic enemies of the Arabs." Neither Russia nor China, who vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution based on an Arab League plan aimed to end the Syrian violence, attended the conference. The "Friends of Syria" seem to be favoring the opposition Syrian National Council, but are not giving the group exclusive recognition. The other main opposition group, the National Coordination Committee, is boycotting the conference. Activists have reported that over 7,000 people have been killed since the beginning of the 11-month uprising. The International Red Cross appealed to the Syrian government for a ceasefire so that aid could be brought in and wounded people could be evacuated, but they have received no response. Concern is growing particularly for the city of Homs where the bombardment continues unabated and injured journalists have released videos appealing for assistance.