UN turns up heat on Syrian president

New York – The 193-nation United Nations General Assembly ratcheted up the pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-assad yesterday by overwhelmingly approving a resolution that endorses an Arab League plan calling for him to step aside.

The resolution, similar to one Russia and China vetoed in the Security Council on February 4, received 137 votes in favour, 12 against and 17 abstentions, though three countries said their votes failed to register on the electronic board.

Russia and China were among

‘‘We have deep concerns vis-a-vis the real intentions of the countries that have co-sponsored this draft, particularly that these countries are leading a political and media aggression against Syria.’’ Bashar Ja’afari

those opposing the resolution, which was drafted by Saudi Arabia and submitted by Egypt on behalf of Arab states. Unlike in the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly, but its decisions lack the legal force of council resolutions.

‘‘Today the UN General Assembly sent a clear message to the people of Syria – the world is with you,’’ United States Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said.

‘‘Bashar al-assad has never been more isolated.’’

The resolution said the assembly ‘‘fully supports’’ the Arab League plan aimed at halting Syria’s 11-month crackdown on anti-assad demonstrators and urges UN Secretary-general Ban Ki Moon to appoint a special envoy to Syria.

It also condemns Damascus for ‘‘widespread and systematic violations of human rights’’. The United Nations says more than 5400 civilians have been killed in the uprising.

Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari rejected the resolution, telling the assembly it was part of a plot to overthrow Syria’s government and allow the ‘‘terrorist’’ opposition to take over.

‘‘We have deep concerns vis-avis the real intentions of the countries that have co-sponsored this draft, particularly that these countries are leading a political and media aggression against Syria,’’ he said.

Those countries, Ja’afari said, were providing ‘‘all media, financial and political support to the armed terrorist groups and securing them coverage in international fora’’.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the resolution ‘‘reflects the worrying trend . . . to attempt to isolate the Syrian leadership, to reject any contact with it and to impose an external formula for a political settlement’’.

This week, Arab countries rejected proposed Russian amendments to the resolution that would have sought to blame Syria’s government and opposition equally for the violence.

Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Bolivia were among countries that voted against the resolution and whose delegates voiced support for the Syrian government.

France and other Western powers have suggested that they would like to make a third attempt to persuade Russia not to block action on Syria in the Security Council. But UN diplomats say there are no signs Moscow is prepared to allow the panel to pass any condemnation of Syria.

Before their February 4 double veto, Moscow and Beijing, which oppose what they see as foreign interference in Syria, also knocked down a European-drafted resolution in October that would have condemned Damascus and threatened it with sanctions.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said the vote ‘‘sent a clear signal of the international community’s condemnation of the Syrian regime’s actions and intention to hold to account those responsible for the ongoing atrocities.’’

Egypt’s deputy UN ambassador, Osama Abdul-khaleq, said the resolution was a message to Damascus that it was ‘‘high time to listen to the voice of its people’’.

The league has called for the establishment of a joint Un-arab League peacekeeping mission for Syria.