Prez Obama’s decision ‘historic American retreat’: Syrian media
2 Sept 2013 5:58 AM IST
Syria’s official media on Sunday described US president Barack Obama’s surprise decision to seek nod from lawmakers before launching a military strike against Syria over its alleged use of chemical weapons as ‘the start of the historic American retreat’.
‘Whether the Congress lights the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, president Obama has announced on Saturday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat,’ state-run Al-Thawra daily said in a sarcastic tone.
In a surprise move, Obama announced he believes military action against Syrian targets is the right step to take over the alleged use of chemical weapons but he wants Congressmen to weigh in on whether to use military force. The paper in a front page article said Obama worries about limited intervention turning into ‘an open war has pushed him to seek Congress’ consent.’
US claimed 1,429 people were killed in the chemical attacks in a Damascus suburb by the Syrian army on August 21. Syria, however, denied US charges, saying jihadists fighting with the rebels used the deadly weapons in an effort to turn global sentiments against it. Earlier, the embattled regime of President Bashar al-Assad said it has its ‘finger on the trigger’ over an imminent military strike from the US and its Western allies.
‘The Syrian army is fully ready, its finger on the trigger to face any challenge or scenario that they want to carry out,’ prime minister Wael al-Halqi said.
Congress will OK strike, thinks opposition
Beirut: Syria’s main opposition bloc said on Sunday it was disappointed with US President Barack Obama’s decision to seek approval from Congress for action against the regime, but said it believed lawmakers would OK a strike. ‘We had a feeling of disappointment. We were expecting things to be quicker, that a strike would be imminent... But we believe Congress will approve a strike,’ said Samir Nashar, a top official at the Syrian National Coalition.
Nashar said the coalition was confident that Arab foreign ministers who meet today in Cairo would give ‘very strong support’ to US-led military action. ‘The Turkish position is also very important. Washington needs this support,’ the Istanbul-based official said.
‘The coalition will get in touch with Arab countries and Turkey so that they cooperate as much as possible with the US. We will try to push these countries to take part in the military operation, which will greatly alleviate the suffering of Syrians, he said.
‘Whether the Congress lights the red or green light for an aggression, and whether the prospects of war have been enhanced or faded, president Obama has announced on Saturday, by prevaricating or hinting, the start of the historic American retreat,’ state-run Al-Thawra daily said in a sarcastic tone.
In a surprise move, Obama announced he believes military action against Syrian targets is the right step to take over the alleged use of chemical weapons but he wants Congressmen to weigh in on whether to use military force. The paper in a front page article said Obama worries about limited intervention turning into ‘an open war has pushed him to seek Congress’ consent.’
US claimed 1,429 people were killed in the chemical attacks in a Damascus suburb by the Syrian army on August 21. Syria, however, denied US charges, saying jihadists fighting with the rebels used the deadly weapons in an effort to turn global sentiments against it. Earlier, the embattled regime of President Bashar al-Assad said it has its ‘finger on the trigger’ over an imminent military strike from the US and its Western allies.
‘The Syrian army is fully ready, its finger on the trigger to face any challenge or scenario that they want to carry out,’ prime minister Wael al-Halqi said.
Congress will OK strike, thinks opposition
Beirut: Syria’s main opposition bloc said on Sunday it was disappointed with US President Barack Obama’s decision to seek approval from Congress for action against the regime, but said it believed lawmakers would OK a strike. ‘We had a feeling of disappointment. We were expecting things to be quicker, that a strike would be imminent... But we believe Congress will approve a strike,’ said Samir Nashar, a top official at the Syrian National Coalition.
Nashar said the coalition was confident that Arab foreign ministers who meet today in Cairo would give ‘very strong support’ to US-led military action. ‘The Turkish position is also very important. Washington needs this support,’ the Istanbul-based official said.
‘The coalition will get in touch with Arab countries and Turkey so that they cooperate as much as possible with the US. We will try to push these countries to take part in the military operation, which will greatly alleviate the suffering of Syrians, he said.
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