Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Syria protesters resolute, says Qatar emir | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55274629
Caption:

A grab from an undated handout video made available by Shaam News Network, shows an armed man dressed in Syrian security forces outfit hitting on the neck of one of the civilians seated with others inside a classroom. (SNN)


A grab from an undated handout video made available by Shaam News Network, shows an armed man dressed in Syrian security forces outfit hitting on the neck of one of the civilians seated with others inside a classroom. (SNN)

A grab from an undated handout video made available by Shaam News Network, shows an armed man dressed in Syrian security forces outfit hitting on the neck of one of the civilians seated with others inside a classroom. (SNN)

Doha, (AFP)- Qatar’s emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani said Monday that Syrians are determined to keep protesting against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime despite a deadly crackdown.

“The killing is nearly daily. But it’s clear that the Syrian people will not turn back on their demands,” Sheikh Hamad told pan-Arab news channel Al-Jazeera.

“The question now is how to get out of this domestic standoff in Syria,” he said.

In August, Sheikh Hamad criticised Syria’s use of force against protesters demanding democratic change, describing the approach as fruitless and urging serious reforms.

More than 2,200 people have been killed in Syria since almost daily protests began on March 15, according to the United Nations, while human rights groups say more than 10,000 people are behind bars.

Meanwhile the Arab League secretary general Nabil al-Arabi said Syrian authorities now agreed to a visit, which he had announced a week ago after the 22-member group had met to discuss the Syrian crisis.

Qatar had long enjoyed cordial relations with Damascus, but Doha-based Al-Jazeera television has come under strong criticism by the Syrian authorities for its coverage of the popular uprising.

A grab from an undated handout video made available by Shaam News Network shows Syrian women marching during the funeral of Mohamed Bashir al-Shami allegedly killed by the Syrian Security forces. (SNN)

A grab from an undated handout video made available by Shaam News Network shows Syrian women marching during the funeral of Mohamed Bashir al-Shami allegedly killed by the Syrian Security forces. (SNN)

File photo May 19, 2010, shows the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani  greeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad upon his arrival in Doha. (AFP)

File photo May 19, 2010, shows the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani greeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad upon his arrival in Doha. (AFP)