Syria is an Arab problem

The Arab League on Saturday announced the suspension of Syria's membership and sanctions against Bashar al-Assad's regime. This ups the pressure on the United Nations but the problem remains an Arab one, writes the liberal daily NRC Handelsblad: "The US President Barack Obama was pleased by the decision and announced that the United States would not continue to exert pressure on Assad's murderous regime together with its 'friends and allies'. But there will be no military intervention like in Libya. It would already be a major step if the Security Council were to simply pass a condemnatory resolution. But Russia and China mustn't veto this again. For now these two permanent members of the Security Council are shrouding themselves in silence. The opposition in Syria sees the Arab League's decision to suspend Syria as strengthening its cause. But this is likely to remain the only help on which it can count from abroad. Syria is an Arab problem that requires an Arab solution."

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