Jordan PM urges Syria to stop military operations

[News_Editor]

Jordan PM urges Syria to stop military operations

2011-08-16 06:04:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMMAN (BNO NEWS) -- Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Al Bakhit on Monday condemned the ongoing government crackdown on Syrian protesters and called for an immediate end to violence, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

The premier urged his Syrian counterpart Adel Safar to immediately halt military operations and implement speedy reforms during a phone conversation. He also expressed the Kingdom's rejection and regret over the continued killing and escalation in neighboring Syria.

During the call, Bakhit said there is a growing international outrage at the violent crackdown in Syria and a rejection of the continuation of "such scenes" that must stop immediately. He stressed the need to carry out required political reform and resort to dialogue to guarantee the safety of the Syrian people.

United States President Barack Obama on Saturday discussed the situation in Syria with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and British Prime Minister David Cameron, and all three called for an immediate end to the government crackdown on protesters. Human rights groups have said that more than 2,000 people have died since the government crackdown on protesters began in mid-March and tens of thousands have been arrested.

In mid-March, pro-democracy demonstrations began in Syria and have continued across the country, which has been ruled by the Baath Party since 1963. Protesters are demanding the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, who took over from his father in 2000.

Assad previously said that the recent events in the country are a conspiracy against national unity. The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that the violent acts have been instigated by terrorists who use military uniforms and weaponry to pose as soldiers while attacking citizens.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-08-16