President Assad’s tanks are still doing murder on the streets of Syrian, but the
dictator’s isolation grows. After weeks of prevarication, several Gulf States have closed ranks against the Syrian regime. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait have all recalled their ambassadors from Damascus, and King Abdullah of Riyadh has led the Arab League’s condemnation of Assad’s ‘death
machine’.
Better late than never, the international consensus says. Compassion for the oppressed is not a familiar trait among Arabian princelings, but their reticence on this occasion was particularly surprising given that Assad’s Syria is no friend of the Arab League, preferring to side with Iran in most things. Still, today’s diplomatic gestures will add to the pressure bearing on the Syrian regime; although where this will end is anyone’s guess.
The outcome of the Libyan campaign is no more certain. NATO will stay the course, we are told; but the lack of progress has inspired war-weariness in and beyond Westminster. The publication of the rebels’ plan for the future will augent that disquiet. The document, seen by the Times (£), illustrates that rebel leaders concede they cannot defeat Gaddafi, and are relying on the regime collapsing as a result of external pressure and internal faction. Broadly, this reflects the strategic thinking in Whitehall, where confidence in the rebels is low and the mantra is “as long as it takes.”
Meanwhile, London is preparing for another night of fetid hooliganism. Riots have already broken out in Hackney and disruption is also expected in Barnet, Lewisham, Blackheath and Brixton later this evening. Whitehall’s deliberations on Libya and Syria were disturbed earlier this afternoon by the racket of the police being deployed across the capital. Politicians will add to the cacophony. Theresa May has broken her holiday to manage the situation and Boris Johnson is to return to London tomorrow. Now the media’s feverish eyes will turn on David Cameron.
Comments