Arab ministers to debate Syria draft

IRAQ: Arab foreign ministers will discuss a draft resolution on Wednesday calling on Syria's government to hold talks with the opposition and to end the violence, on the eve of a landmark summit in Baghdad.

The Syria crisis, in which monitors say almost 10,000 people have died in a bloody crackdown on a year-long uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, has loomed large as officials meet ahead of a summit of Arab leaders on Thursday.

The summit will be the first such gathering hosted by Iraq in more than 20 years.

The draft resolution, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, urges the "Syrian government and all opposition factions to deal positively with the (UN-Arab League) envoy (Kofi Annan) by starting serious national dialogue."

It also calls on the Syrian opposition "to unify its ranks and prepare... to enter into serious dialogue (with the regime) to achieve the democratic life which is demanded by the Syrian people."

And "the Syrian government should immediately stop all actions of violence and killing, protect Syrian civilians and guarantee the freedom of peaceful demonstrations for achieving demands of the Syrian people," the text says.

Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi told reporters on Tuesday that "the Syrian subject will have a significant place in discussions" between foreign ministers.

"I think that the ministers' meeting tomorrow and the Arab summit will support" a six-point plan put forward by ex-UN chief Annan and reportedly accepted by Damascus on Tuesday. AFP