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A look back at the violence that has overtaken the country
JEDDAH - A safe exit and possible immunity from prosecution for President Bashar Assad "could be arranged" if it would end Syria's increasingly bloody conflict, British Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday before a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Some 32,000 people have been killed in Syria during a revolt against Assad that began with peaceful protests in March 2011, but became an armed rebellion after a deadly military crackdown.
"Done. Anything, anything, to get that man out of the country and to have a safe transition in Syria," Cameron told the Saudi-based Al Arabiya news network in Abu Dhabi when asked about offering Assad safe passage.
"Of course I would favor him facing the full force of international law and justice for what he's done. I am certainly not offering him an exit plan to Britain but if he wants to leave he could leave, that could be arranged," he said.
It was unclear if Cameron had spoken to other U.N. Security Council members about the idea, which could involve offering Assad immunity from prosecution if he accepted asylum in a third country. Nor was it clear what nation would take him.
A spokesman for Cameron suggested separately that an immunity deal could - reluctantly - be put on the table.
"Clearly we would like Assad to face justice for what he has done, but our priority, given the situation in that country, has to be an end to violence and a transition. And that cannot take place while Assad remains in place," the spokesman said.
The U.N. human rights office has said Syrian officials suspected of committing or ordering crimes against humanity should face prosecution at the International Criminal Court. U.N. human rights investigators have been gathering evidence of atrocities committed by armed rebels as well as by government forces and pro-Assad militia.
Arab world divided
Visiting the Middle East on a trade and diplomacy trip, Cameron is expected to discuss Syria with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah as well as other regional and commercial issues.
Saudi Arabia has led Arab efforts to isolate Assad's government and has orchestrated Arab League moves to impose sanctions. Last month, Riyadh expelled Syrian consulate workers, after having expelled Syria's ambassador in March.
Suicide bomb ups death toll in Syria to 269 since Sunday, groups say
Syria has accused Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Muslim states in the region of fueling the bloodshed by backing the rebels.
The Syrian struggle has taken on a sectarian tone, with mostly Sunni rebels battling loyalist forces dominated by Assad's minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.
An opposition group and an activist organization say that 269 people have died in a rash of violence since Sunday. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Gulf Arab states are wary of powerful Shiite neighbor Iran, one of Assad's few allies.
Assad's other friends are China and Russia, Security Council members which have vetoed three Western-backed U.N. draft resolutions aimed at exerting pressure on the Syrian leader.
Targeted killings
In Syria on Tuesday battles between rebels and forces loyal to Assad continued with gunmen assassinating the brother of Syria's speaker of parliament Tuesday, state television said, in the latest episode of a deadly campaign against people thought to have links to the president.
Targets have included parliamentarians, ruling Baath party officials and their relatives. Even actors and doctors viewed as Assad supporters have been killed in a 19-month-old uprising that has left more than 32,000 dead.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the killing.
PhotoBlog: A close-up view of the battle for Aleppo
Rebels also recently announced that they killed actor Mohammad Rafei in the Barzeh neighborhood of Damascus after he was kidnapped on Friday.
Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based opposition watchdog, said activists in Barzeh had said Rafei, known for his soap opera roles, had been killed because he backed Assad and gave information to the security forces about protesters and rebels.
"Almost every day there are such attacks and there will be many more in the next few days," said Abdelrahman, who has an extensive network of activist and rebel contacts in Syria.
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Leave a Comment:
By All means give the Mass Murderer Pig-Head Assad "safe passage" out of Syria and then SHOOT him in the head. Throw his remains where they dumped Bin Laden. Wouldn't want to pollute Syria's soil with his remains.
Alan-1380274
I totally agree the guy needs to die. He had a chance to step down and leave as a very rich man but instead he killed thousands of people.
No deal for him in my book.
"Safe Passage" to where? Ain't gonna happen. Assad's fate is already sealed.
Some population in middle east just don't deserve democracy, just look what happend in Iraq! The moment you offer them freedom, they start slaughtering each other. It is naive think all men are created equal and should give the the same rights... apparently NOT!
Let's give him free passage to Guantanamo!
The USA can take him. Hide him in Crawford. We've got "one of those" there,already!
Imunity for a butchering mass murderer and aiding the transition of a new and improved Islamic terrorist government??? I think the Brits need to do some more homework.........
This is disgusting. You'll give this sack of crap immunity but you're going to bring the full power of the law down on Julian Assange? Britain is disgusting.
"Britain is disgusting"
Whelp, guess I better tar all Americans with the same brush (or whatever nation you're from) you disgusting people with your drone strikes on funerals and civilians and sovereign nations. Or how about Guantanamo.
Dirty Americans...
Not clever is it?
Why not try a constructive comment like "I disagree with the British Prime Minister"
Much nicer.
Or a constructive comment like "dirty Americans"? I don't understand why people like you are on an American news feed, if you hate Americans so much. I'm sure you're the one that gave yourself your one vote. You'd probably get more on a Jihad newsline. "Disgusting people"? No, we have toilet paper.
I hope the subtext here is: '... and then he will be prosecuted for his crimes.' Assad is one nasty character...
I guess it is ok for the rebels to commit war crimes, though? Routinely killing people they *think* support Assad. I guess it's only sexy to be prosecuted for War crimes when the West isn't on your side of things. The double standard is disgusting.
They should safely smuggle him out of Syria and into GITMO indefinitely.
somebody should have done something about Assad a long time ago. we talk about the Muslim killing 13 Army people in Texas and the army Sergeant kills 16 Afghan civilians . and they are already on trial. this scumbag kills 36K people and we do nothing until we say give him asylum. should have done something about this guy a long time ago. should take him out like Obama Ben Laden.
A bunch of typical mis-informed armchair generals in here today. Everyone has a plan and an opinion with zero knowledge of how the world works. Let me give you helmet heads a hint... Assad was once a US darling, as well as Saddam. There are quite a few Arab darlings right now that Dem's and Repub's love. Give it time and they will be enemy number one. Its just a cycle. Don't get your panties in an uproar. When the US has no need for you, bye bye!
Where's the Mrs? I'm sure she's not too thrilled about how her Queen dreams are working out. I bet those travel brochures to Russia, China, Iran or N Korea aren't looking too good either.
"Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. " ~George Orwell
Ah yes but will Assad and the Russians offer Cameron and US a Safe Exit? And why would Syria be any of Cameron's or England's business in the first place?
Well other than Cameron is using his Bloody British SAS Goons to Train & Lead Al-Qaeda in Syria to murder of innocent civilian men women & children for the Maximum International News Coverage of this "British UN Globalist" Manufactured Crisis!
Honestly Obama has also had a lot to do with it by secretly supporting Al-Qaeda in Syria too but today it's "Britain's" turn to "Hog The Glory" and Obama& Hillary are Waffling anyway!
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/02/14877313-analysis-us-loses-patience-with-syria-opposition-group?lite
So Limeys tell US when is Cameron going to forced to exit? We are sick of all of your "Iron Ladies" who like to start a "Not War" (like Libya & Syria) but then always seem to expect Americans to "Finish It" for Wall Street's Fun & Profit and their Oligarch Controlled Banksters Supporting the British NWO Globalists!
America.... Don't believe? Watch this PBS Documentary and then ask yourselves "Who Is/Was Really The Terrorists of 9/11"?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l-8PFk8j5I
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever." ~ George Orwell, 1984
MUW, got a few anger issues? Come on, don't hold back and tell us how you really feel! By the way, if you are going to try to use something from youtube as source material, don't expect to garner much credibility! I'm sure your bigoted comments have already cost you a lot of it anyway.
I doubt he will ever step down from his so call empire.
It's a pity that it might diminish Napoleon's real abilities but maybe Assad should be offerred a house on St. Helena.
Nearly a century after WWI, the world is still paying for the sins of the Ottomans, French, British and the League of Nations. And probably still another century to go.
When the rebels will kill you for having a different opinion, such as actors and doctors viewed as Assad supporters, who really believes the killing will stop after he is gone. The rebels are no better than the terrorists they have embraced and the usual Muslim tradition of killing everyone differing in look, religion, or opinion will continue without pause. At this point they are mostly killing those who they believe support the current government. When this government falls they will choose sides and start on their former allies. Whoever is left after that mess is settled will do what they can to spread their destruction wherever they are able. It is what they do best.
32,000 dead over this human garbage? I thought we could do better than that.
how dare a leader especially from a western country such as the UK can suggest to let this criminal free without punishment; what is the bleeding heart attitude of the world coming to. Assad, his family and his associates require to be punished severely for their crimes. Why dont they ask the Syrian people what punishment would fit this looser.
Othmar Brunner
Assad could say the same thing about Obama and have Putin back it up.
Once again how is "Syria" any of our business? That is the one question these "Chicken Hawks" are never willing to answer yet expect US to once again waste our Precious Blood & Treasure for their Corporate Fun & Profits!
“All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.” ~George Orwell
George Orwell was a Loon! Have you ever actually read any of his books?
Hang him by his nuts, then take him where ever he wants to go...
The Queen,s hench man, Cameron trying to protect another bandit==coyote
One should be very naive or stupid to believe this civil war will end after Assad stepped down.
I feel sorry that Brits have such leaders..
JUST SAY NO,to any further muslim intrusion to the US.GB-goood luck,dumbass
Asshat will get whats coming to him. Theres no where he can hide. He will be hunted until the day he dies, and even after hes dead so they can pee on his grave.
I think the international court should try him as a war criminal and mass murderer. Then put him in a cell in solitary until he croaks. Then dump him at sea like Bin Laden so he cant be martyred or have his grave become a point of conflict. He needs to go away for good.
I would not be against a surgical strike to take him out if he continues killing civilians. He must be stopped by whatever means are necessary. If he cant be caught or made to step down, he needs to be gotten rid of someother more extreme way. But he must go.
Who gives a crap what that overrated, overpriced, and overcrowded sad, smelly excuse of a country thinks.
Britain.........your time is over !!!!!
Ah, let's just invade and have war number 3 to contend with, whilst we try and clear up the mess left by the last two (one of which, of course, is on-going).
I'm sure the US, after two test runs, will get this war just right; win it in a couple of weeks with air strikes, not put too few soldiers on the ground and leave them to get blown up by suicide bombers, not allow muslim extremists fill the power vacuum and not bankrupt the US.
Or, you could allow a despot to leave asap, allow a government of moderate muslims to try and form a new democratic nation.
I'm not a fan of Cameron, but, unlike you, in this case he's taking a sensible stance.
so exactly who is going to replace him?. as far as we know and hillary clinton admited, the revolution has been hijacked by extremist. those are not ordinary people fighting agianst assad. they are alquida, jihadis, wahabis hired by saudi and qatari's and they fight not for freedom of syria, but their purpose is destabalization of syria, and then control and have their own influence in syria. historically where ever and when ever a dictatorship is brought down by forces of extremist and supported by the west, that country has far less chance of becomming democratic, and in most cases it has become a terrorist state. clear example are iraq, afghanistan. and most recently lybia.
by the way assad is not going any where. the russian and chinese and iranian know the plot. which is to take them down one by one and then control them. russian and chinese actually feeling threaten by what is inspiring in ME and know that if that continue their turn may come as well, not millitarily, but in ways of the west try to destabalize them as well. russia has already encountered a few. so assad is there to stay. russia would not allow what happened to iraq and lybia occur in syria.