FM opposes military op in Syria

Avigdor Lieberman thinks international community has 'plenty of other ways to bring Assad to heel' before resorting to military campaign

Ronen Medzini|Published: 06.14.11 , 19:52

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Tuesday he believes the international community should refrain from launching a military campaign against Syria at this time.

Speaking in a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Jerusalem, the foreign minister stressed that Assad must resign as soon as possible.

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The world, he said, "Must not sit idly by while atrocities were taking place in Syria… what we've been seeing there in terms of human right violations is utterly unacceptable."

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Addressing the so-far-failed attempt to pass a UN Security Council censure of Syria, Lieberman said that "the Security Council initiative is very important, but I also expect the EU to take steps against the Syrian regime, and recall its ambassadors.

"We are all very concerned about the situation in Syria and the suffering of innocent people, but if this regime and this president continue on, continue to suppress the protests as they do now – that would be sending a very bad message."

Concerns notwithstanding, Lieberman said that in his opinion, resorting to a military campaign at this time was ill-advised. "I don't think there's a place for military involvement… The international community has plenty of other ways – financial, political and diplomatic – to bring Assad to heel before resorting to that."

Westerwelle (L) and Lieberman (Photo: Noam Moskovich)

"We trust our friends in the US and EU to choose the right path. The world cannot take different approaches vis-à-vis Libya, Syria and Iran. It is best for all if there is one approach."

Both Westerwelle and Lieberman also addressed the Palestinians' unilateral bid for statehood, planned for September.

Westerwelle reiterated Berlin's objection to unilateral steps, "As such steps in the UN only widen the gaps between the parties and are counterproductive. Our position is clear: the two-state solution must be based on negotiations."

Lieberman concluded by saying that "there is a vital need to reignite the peace talks, especially in light of regional development. We are ready and willing to do that.

"(…) Nevertheless, and the importance of the Palestinian issue notwithstanding, everything is under control. Even with all the tension and friction, you cannot compare it to what we're seeing in Syria."