Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs' speech before the Arab Foreign Ministers Council: The situation in Syria is so serious to the extent that all Arab countries should shoulder their historic responsibility as we see innocent blood pours on its territories on daily bases, a difficult test of conscience for all of us as we were presumed to be most keen and credible towards our brethrens who are subject to the most brutal kinds of suppression from those who were presumed to be the defenders and protectors of their safety, rights, security and interests. As you know the Council has forged an intact plan aiming to stop bloodshed and all kinds of violence, release detainees who were kept behind the bars during and after protest-related current incidents, eliminate cities, towns and neighborhoods from all armed aspects, open the way for legal organizations and the media to freely move in Syria so as to pave the way for a national dialogue that would conduce to the required solution. The solution will never be reached without meeting the aspirations of the Syrian people through the achievement of power peaceful transition. We have repeatedly expressed our feelings of amicability and fraternity to the interests of the Syrian people without discrimination or difference. Our objective is to stop bloodshed, preserve Syria's integrity, security and stability and evade the dangers of devastating civil struggle or slipping to chaos and destruction. The Council's position is a true Islamic attitude. Based on the Syrian government official endorsement of the Arab League proposed solution, we have agreed to take part in the Arab monitors team whose mission is not to work as negotiators or mediators but to monitor Syrian government's commitment of strictly and apparently carrying out the plan, provided that the Syrian government provides security and freedom for the monitoring team to move in Syria. But, regrettably, Syrian authorities did not live up to any of the articles of the Arab plan. Not only that, but was quick to accuse Arab leaders and their countries of conspiracy against Syria. At this point, we ask whether it is a genuine Arab behavior that the ruler kills his people or that Arab armies' mission it to devastate their country mates instead of protecting them and their souls, properties and safeguard their security and stability. This situation couldn't continue and by no means, we could not accept to become false witnesses or to be exploited by whoever to justify the crimes committed against the Syrian people or to cover those crimes. Based on that, I announce that my country is withdrawing its monitors from Syria due to Syria's falling short of complying with any of the elements of the Arab solution plan which basically aims at sparing the dear Syrian blood. We call on our Arab colleagues to remain seriously and credibly committed to their Foreign Ministers Council's resolution of imposing sanctions on the Syrian government to mount pressure on it and coerce it to be really and not verbally committed to its pledges. I don't think that any party in our Council will think about cancelling those sanctions as long as the Syrian government was adamant not to abide by the elements of the Arab solution. We also call on the world community, including our brothers in the Islamic countries and our friends in Russia, China, Europe and the United States, to shoulder their responsibility according to the Arab solution and mount every possible pressure to convince the Syrian government of the importance of the prompt and comprehensive implementation of that solution.
