Assad Sacks Deputy PM, Issues General Amnesty
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday sacked his vice premier who had been absent without leave and held unauthorized meetings abroad, the official SANA news agency said.
The move follows media reports that Qadri Jamil, a vice premier for economic affairs, had met with the U.S. pointman for Syria, Ambassador Robert Ford, on Saturday in Geneva to discuss proposed peace talks.
SANA said Jamil was sacked after an "absence without authorization from his post" as well as "activities and meetings outside the country without authorization from the government."
According to a political source in Syria, Jamil had proposed joining the opposition delegation to peace talks and that Ford had said he could not represent both sides at once.
Opposition National Coalition spokesman Louay Safi said the incident showed that "the regime is in the process of falling apart... Qadri Jamil perhaps felt the ship is sinking."
A Lebanese newspaper reported that Jamil and his family have been living for the past several weeks in Moscow, where the former member of the Syrian communist party had studied economics.
Jamil later founded his own party, the People's Will, which participated in peaceful pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 that escalated into a rebellion after a crackdown by Assad.
As part of the tolerated domestic opposition, he helped draft a new constitution last year and then participated in legislative elections before being named vice premier.
The United States and Russia have been struggling to convince Syria's warring parties to attend peace talks in Geneva next month aimed at ending the civil war, which has killed an estimated 115,000 people.
U.N.-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was in Damascus Tuesday as part of a regional tour to rally support for the talks following a rare U.S.-Russian accord to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons.
The talks remain in doubt, however, with Syria's increasingly fractured rebels having yet to say whether they will attend.
The National Coalition has said it will not take part in the Geneva talks unless Assad's resignation is on the table -- a demand rejected by Damascus -- while several rebel groups have warned that anyone who attends will be considered a traitor.
Assad has also cast doubt on the talks, and has said he will not negotiate with any group tied to the rebels fighting his forces or to foreign states.
Meanwhile, SANA said Assad issued a general amnesty for crimes committed before October 29, 2013.
29 October 2013, 17:38
125
u summarized in one sentence what discussion with Assads, Hizbos or Farsis mean : lie and deception...
29 October 2013, 21:43
41
As long as this deeply rooted hatred is kept alive by the instigators of hate between the two Muslim sects, sacking is the list of your problems. Of all countries, we the Lebanese allowed and brought these bastards and their issues into our homes, and the slaughter goes on. Whether we blame the West, U.S. or Israel, the perpetrators from either side are our next door neighbors. So, yes stick to your guns, keep this hatred alive, remain divided and concurred.
29 October 2013, 21:51
27
I hope President Assad will hold free and fair elections with many different political groups. They just need to make sure to get rid of all the Al-Qeada groups first before then can progress as a nation.
29 October 2013, 22:32
26
T_A
I am no comic, just a simpleton. And Lewis Black is lousy.
Well it did happen and President Assad was wrong for not listening to some of the population.
But one can not simply deny that Syria has been over-run by terrorist coming from numerous countries. The issue of these terrorists need to be dealt with first before Syria can move-on as a country.
29 October 2013, 22:40
45
anonymetexasusa
Please see my first statement.
If you refer to my fist statement I clearly stated I hope President Assad steps aside and Syria can have FREE and FAIR elections with many political parties. They just need to get rid of the terrorists first.
29 October 2013, 22:50
43
anonymetexasusa
My fault. You are indeed correct, I did not mention that. But that is what I think should happen.
But do you not agree that the terrorist situation needs to be dealt with? The flow of arms and support to these terrorist cells needs to be stopped. A political solution to end the bloodshed should be implemented. Saudi Arabia needs to "throw in the towel"?
29 October 2013, 23:16
32
anonymetexasusa
I understand, Assad is not the greatest and has made many mistakes. He should step down and yes Al-Qeada are the result of him not addressing his people's concerns.
But the reality now on the ground is that they are there and they are there to fight to the death. All terrorist groups refused to negotiate and this includes the FSA. The only thing these groups seem to be calling for is President Assad's removal from power.
29 October 2013, 23:19
32
Syria needs to eliminate these terrorist groups. Any SYRIANS who have joined these groups need to disassociate themselves from these terrorists groups and as a country they need to drive these terrorists out.
29 October 2013, 23:32
31
I cannot speak for the Assad Administration. But I did hear some situations where the government allowed many defected soldiers to re-join the army.
Sooner or later they need to make a choice because the Syrian Army to going to eventually win this war.
29 October 2013, 23:54
31
T_and_A
If my memory serves me correctly, I could have sworn that Mr. Nasrallah has been saying from the very beginning that their needs to be a political solution. Am I correct???
However, this does not mean that the Syrian Army is not winning. This does not mean that Mr. Nasrallah's organization did not play a massive role in allowing the "tide to turn" in the war. This is factual information, not opinion.
30 October 2013, 00:08
21
anonymetexasusa
I don't understand. Are you hoping these rebel/terrorist groups win?
You would rather they won and go on a sectarian killing rampage?? Killing anyone who disagrees with their form of Islam?? That is what they will do. They are doing it right now.
Is that the Syria you in-vision?
30 October 2013, 01:06
01
even western intelligence (and naharnet too surprisingly) says at least 50 percent are hardline extremist alqaida-like fighters. With the continued flow of nonsyrian rebels and killing of the nonexistent/extinct rebels is also indicative that it's hardly 5% the 'protoseculars'.
30 October 2013, 00:14
21
T_and_A
Mr. Nasrallah's organization is in Syria for there own reasons, whatever they may be: keeping the supply of weapons flowing
opening another front against Israel
Keeping Assad propped up
Helping the SAA win the war
But no one can deny that Mr. Nasrallah has always been calling for a political solution. I know people dislike him for alot of reasons. I do not agree with all that he says, however, it is clear as day that he called for dialogue right from the get-go.
30 October 2013, 05:58
10
I love how the Persian Propagandists use their taqiya methods to try to sound unbiased, non-shia, and ordinary observers.
I especially like the phrase "Mr. Nasrallah's organization".
It makes you sound so neutral.
How unusual for such a neutral observer to come to a pro-M14-leaning website, post at least a dozen pro-Hezbollah and pro-Assad comments. Especially with a user name we've never seen before? Strange huh?
And your remark about Nasrallah..... "I don't agree with all that he says"
hahahahahaha
I really would like to believe that, but.....
30 October 2013, 00:45
11
anonymetexasusa
I am sorry of you felt threatened by my remarks. I assure you I mean you no harm. I was simply trying to understand your argument.
You do realize that the FSA are no match for Al-Qeada, correct? You do realize for the most part, the FSA has been rendered useless? So if President Assad does fall, it will not be the FSA who take control. What is the solution then?
30 October 2013, 00:52
11
T_and_A
As a freelance journalist I must respectfully disagree with you. I have been following the Arab Spring from the beginning. My sources are mostly Israeli and believe me, they are not in the business of making Mr. Nasrallah look good.
30 October 2013, 01:08
11
anonymetexasusa
So you are saying that with a transition gov, they will quickly be able to unite the country and then re-organize an entire army and the terrorist will be easy to crush? I honestly do not even think you believe this.
Have you not seen what has happened in Libya. So much for unity and civil obedience.
30 October 2013, 06:07
20
Good one Mehdi. Hard to believe that someone even as low as Tommy Boulos would support the murderous dictator in Damascus, who caused so much death and destruction in Lebano.... but Tommy was apparently never loyal to Lebanon.
