The assault against the 'unconfirmed' US Ambassador was conducted with tomatoes and stones. It would seem as though the Syrian troops have no appreciation for civil disobedience, only oppression. The Syrian government lost soldiers as a result of this aggression. The Syrian government could have had meetings with Abdul-Azim no different than the USA Ambassador Ford did, but, instead of risking getting hit with a tomato Assad sends in troops to kill citizens.
7 Syrian soldiers, police killed in restive town (click title to entry - thank you)
BEIRUT (AP) — A military official says Syrian troops have targeted forces opposed to President Bashar Assad in a rebellious central town and that the clashes have killed seven soldiers and policemen.
The official says the troops conducted a "qualitative" operation on Thursday and Friday in the town of Rastan in the central Homs province.
The official says the Syrian troops were killed by "gunmen." The comments by the unidentified official were carried by state-run news agency SANA on Friday.
Rastan has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting in the six-month uprising against President Bashar Assad, pitting the military against hundreds of army defectors, according to activists.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
BEIRUT (AP) — Angry supporters of President Bashar Assad's regime hurled tomatoes and eggs at the U.S. ambassador to Syria on Thursday as he entered the office of a leading opposition figure and then tried to break into the building, trapping him inside for three hours.
The Obama administration blamed the Syrian government for the attack in Damascus, saying it was part of an ongoing, orchestrated campaign to intimidate American diplomats in the country. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned the attack as "wholly unjustified."
Ambassador Robert Ford, an outspoken critic of Assad's crackdown on the 6-month-old revolt against the regime, has angered Syrian authorities before by showing support for the uprising. The latest incident promises to raise tensions even further.
Ford came under attack by about 100 Assad supporters as he arrived for the meeting with Hassan Abdul-Azim, who heads the outlawed Arab Socialist Democratic Union party. Abdul-Azim is a strong critic of Assad's regime and was briefly detained by authorities earlier this year...
By Associated Press, Updated: Friday, September 30, 3:04 AM
It seems as though the Arab League has to be involved. They have been having a growing influence in the area for stability. King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and President Assad have been known to conference from time to time as well. President Assad is seeking the wrong path for his country and will increase the instability if he doesn't concede the anger of Syrian citizens. There has been growing and open rebuke of Assad's leadership.
Saudi King Condemns Syrian Violence (click here)
KUWAIT, BAHRAIN, SAUDI ARABIA WITHDRAW AMBASSADORS
By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff
Posted Aug 8, 2011 11:07 AM CDT
Saudi King Condemns Syrian Violence (click here)
KUWAIT, BAHRAIN, SAUDI ARABIA WITHDRAW AMBASSADORS
By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff
Posted Aug 8, 2011 11:07 AM CDT
(NEWSER) – With tanks continuing an onslaught against Syria’s uprising, Saudi Arabia’s king voiced harsh criticism of the crackdown and withdrew his ambassador to the country. “What is happening in Syria is not acceptable for Saudi Arabia,” King Abdullah said in a televised statement, calling on authorities to stop “the killing machine and end the bloodshed.” “Syria should think wisely before it's too late and issue and enact reforms that are not merely promises but actual reforms.”
Kuwait and Bahrain soon followed suit, recalling their own ambassadors, the New York Times reports. “No one can accept the bloodshed in Syria,” said Kuwait’s foreign minister. “The military option must be halted.” …
