Arab League proposes unity government in Syria

[pinboy3niner]

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: The Arab League will take its plan to the U.N. in a bid to build support

• NEW: The unity government should prepare for elections, Arab League says

• It wants al-Assad to delegate powers to his VP after the formation of the new government

• Arab League chief: Syria is not complying with parts of a league agreement

From Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, For CNN
January 22, 2012 -- Updated 2216 GMT (0616 HKT)


Cairo (CNN) -- The Arab League agreed on a path forward in Syria on Sunday that instructs President Bashar al-Assad to delegate powers to his vice president following the formation of a national unity government.

It called for the Syrian government to start a dialogue with the opposition within two weeks, and for the new government to be formed within two months.

The unity government should prepare to elect a council, within three months, that will write a constitution, the Arab League said. It should also prepare for parliamentary and presidential elections.

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The Arab League will take its plan to the United Nations in a bid to build international support. The initiative does not back military intervention in Syria.

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http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/22/world/meast/syria-unrest/

[pampango]

1. Syria rejects Arab League transition plan

Syria has condemned a new Arab League initiative that calls on President Bashar al-Assad to cede power by holding early elections and forming a "national unity government".

Syrian state television, quoting an unnamed official source, said early on Monday morning that the resolution, passed on Sunday night, contradicted the will of the Syrian people and was a violation of its national sovereignty. The source said the resolution was part of a conspiracy against the Syrian people.

"After the establishment of the government of national unity, there has to be a referendum and preparation for new elections. The Arab League's Secretary-General is to send a new special envoy to Syria, and will call on the international community to support this national unity government to fulfill its functions," he said.

"We are looking into an Arab solution for this. We are not looking for a military intervention. The decision was by consensus, except Algeria which had some reservations. Lebanon has abstained, and we appreciate their situation there and we thank them for their cooperation," he said.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/201212305618873831.html

It seems that Assad's definition of "Syrian national sovereignty" is "my continued rule". The Arab League proposal would require a government of national unity, a referendum and preparation for an election. Don't see much other than Syrians making decisions in that process so I don't see how "national sovereignty" is threatened - just Assad's continued rule.