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| Some 350 security personnel have died in the fighting |
A leading
member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats has called for EU
ambassadors to be withdrawn from Syria. Meanwhile, Germany's foreign minister
says change is inevitable in Damascus.
The
chairman of the German parliament's foreign affairs committee, Ruprecht Polenz,
on Saturday called for all EU member states to withdraw their ambassadors from
Syria.
Polenz said
that Europe needed to send a strong message to register its disapproval of the
violence that has killed more than 1,500 protesters in recent months, according
to the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.
 |
| Ruprecht Polenz wants to send Syria a message |
"In
order to increase the political pressure on Damascus and to give a signal to
Syrian society, I would welcome the withdrawal of European politicians,"
he said in comments that were released before publication.
Polenz said
it was important to act in concert so that the actions did not fall on deaf
ears, Polenz said.
Italy
recalled its diplomats last week and the country has urged other EU member
states to do the same.
But up to
now, Berlin and the EU have refused to recall their ambassadors. A German government
spokesperson said it was important to keep diplomats on the ground in Syria so
that they can gather information and maintain contacts with opposition figures.
More than
1,650 civilians and around 350 security personnel have been killed since pro-democracy
protests began in March.
Minister:
No political future
Meanwhile,
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told the Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung that he could see no future for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
 |
| Protests have arisen in a number of cities across Syria |
"I do
not believe that there can be a political future for Assad that would be
supported by the Syrian people," Westerwelle said.
In view of
the violence that had been used against protesters, Westerwelle said, it was
not possible to take seriously an offer by Assad to talk with members of the
opposition.
On
Saturday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said that "free and
fair" elections would take place before the end of the year.
During a
meeting with Arab and foreign ambassadors in Damascus, al-Moallem said the
Syrian leadership was committed to pushing ahead with reforms, the official
SANA news agency reported.
 |
| Assad has come in for strong criticism from Western governments |
A decree
was issued on Thursday authorizing the formation of new political parties.
But
Westerwelle, whose ministry is reportedly in talks with members of the
opposition in Syria, said he doubted that the talk about reform was sincere.
"Such
a severe application of violence shows that the regime will stop at nothing to
hold on to power," he said.
The foreign
minister said the situation could be expected to worsen during the Muslim holy
month of Ramadan, which began on August 1, adding that the violence threatened
to spill over Syria's borders and destabilize the region.
Author:
Richard Connor (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Kyle James
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