Violence in Syria as Chinese envoy visits
BEIRUT -- Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas yesterday at thousands of people marching in a funeral procession that turned into one of the largest protests in Damascus since the 11-month uprising against President Bashar Assad began.
The new violence broke out during a visit by a Chinese envoy, who said his country would back a solution to the crisis based on proposals already put forward by the Arab League -- even though Beijing is unlikely to support the regional bloc's call for Assad to step aside.
China, along with Russia, recently supported Damascus by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that would have condemned Assad's regime. During his visit Saturday to Syria, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun urged dialogue and called on all parties to stop violence that has killed more than 5,400 people since March of last year, according to the UN.
In a statement posted on the Foreign Ministry's website, Zhai said China supports all the mediation efforts by the Arab League. The statement did not say whether China supported the Arab League's call for Assad to transfer powers to his deputy.
Zhai's trip appeared to be part of Beijing's efforts to deflect some of the international criticism over its Feb. 4 veto of the Security Council resolution with stepped-up diplomacy, following the example set by Russia.
Syria was also getting support from Iran, its closest ally in the Middle East. Iranian state-run Press TV said two Iranian navy ships had docked in the Syrian port of Tartus to provide maritime training to Syria's naval forces under an agreement signed between the two countries a year ago.
In Damascus, several people were wounded when security forces opened fire on mourners at the funeral procession in the Mazzeh district. Activists, including the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said one person was killed. It added security forces dispersed the protesters and conducted a campaign of raids and arrests following the protest.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
