Syrian foreign minister says that “half the universe” was conspiring against his country...

[pampango]

This could be one of the largest conspiracies ever!

Saying that “half the universe” was conspiring against his country, the Syrian foreign minister forcefully rejected a regional attempt to broker an end to the 10-month conflict here on Tuesday and suggested that there would be no end to the government’s use of force to put down the uprising.

The growing tensions came as regional and Western countries searched for ways to implement an Arab League proposal that called on President Bashar al-Assad to yield power, an ambitious plan that reflected frustrations at every other effort to stem the killings.

The Arab League is pressing for the United Nations Security Council to endorse its new plan, which also calls on the government to start a dialogue with its opponents that would lead to the formation of a unity government.

At the United Nations on Tuesday, key Western members and their Arab allies drafted a new Security Council resolution that endorses the Arab League action, senior diplomats said. But putting it into play hinged on a briefing from Nabil al-Araby, the Arab League secretary general, which might happen by video this Friday or could be delayed until he can show up in person on Feb. 8, they said. Such a resolution would have to win the approval of Russia, a close ally of Syria that, along with China, vetoed a resolution condemning Syria in October.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/25/world/middleeast/syria-rejects-regional-effort-to-end-conflict.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[yodermon]

1. hey, Paranoia will destroya .. n/t

[Donald Ian Rankin]

2. He's basically right.

Well, not about the "half the universe" part, and not about the "country" part, but an awful lot of countries would like to see the spectacularly awful Assad dictatorship ended and are almost certainly at least half-heartedly conspiring to that effect.

And good luck to them.

[hifiguy]

3. Who?

The Cardassians?
The Romulans?
The Vulcans?
The Decapodians?
Xenu?

I think we have located the next Baghdad Bob.