Suleiman: Syria Signing of Protocol Keeps Solution within Arab Framework

President Michel Suleiman on Monday expressed his “relief” after Syria signed a protocol with the Arab League to allow observers to monitor the implementation of an Arab deal to end nine months of bloodshed, in comments carried by state-run National News Agency.

“Syria’s signing of the protocol with the Arab League would pave the ground for addressing all the aspects of the ongoing crisis, putting the democratic system into practice in a full manner, and restoring security and civil peace,” Suleiman said.

“That would keep the solution within the Arab framework on one hand and would allow the League to restore its pan-Arab role on the other hand, and this is what Lebanon has been seeking through its stances at the Arab League and the (U.N.) Security Council,” the president stressed.

He also called on the Arab League to regain its role in “consolidating solidarity among all its member states” and addressing “the central Arab cause, which is the cause of Palestine.”

In November, Suleiman called for endorsing an “Arab solution” to the Syrian crisis, stressing that Lebanon rejects any decisions aimed at “isolating” any Arab state.

Syria agreed Monday to allow Arab observers to monitor a deal to end a nine-month protest crackdown, in a move dismissed by the opposition as a ploy and followed by even more reports of bloodshed.

The reports came as the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution condemning human rights in Syria -- with 133 countries in favor, 11 against and 43 abstentions.

After weeks of prevarication, President Bashar al-Assad's embattled regime signed the deal at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said an advance team of observers from Arab countries would head to Damascus within 72 hours, and the mission would last for a renewable initial period of a month.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem welcomed the deal and expressed hope the bloc would lift sweeping sanctions on Damascus.

But Burhan Ghalioun, head of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC), accused Assad's regime of "maneuvering" to avoid threatened U.N. Security Council action.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in the crackdown on nationwide democracy protests that erupted in mid-March, according to the U.N.'s latest estimate issued a week ago.

In an unprecedented move, the pan-Arab bloc in November approved a raft of sanctions against Syria to pressure Damascus to end its deadly crackdown.

The sanctions include freezing government assets, suspending cooperation with Syria's central bank and halting funding for projects in the country.

Lebanon, whose government is led by the pro-Syrian Hizbullah and its allies, disassociated itself from the vote at the Arab League.

The revolt threatening the regime in Damascus has deepened a rift between Lebanon’s ruling coalition and the anti-Syrian opposition.