Friends of Syria make crucial decisions

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani said Saturday the just-ended ministerial the meeting of the Friends of Syria Group led to "a number of confidential decisions to change the status quo in Syria." At a post-meeting joint press conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Sheikh Hamad stressed the importance of supporting the Syrian opposition to achieve a military balance. However, he noted that the priority must always be for a political solution for the Syrian crisis and holding the planned Geneva II Conference. The ministers attending the meeting discussed developments in Syria particularly the foreign interventions in Syria especially by Hezbollah which led to more violence, he revealed. The Qatari Prime Minister noted that the participants highlighted the importance of achieving a balance on the ground by arming the Syrian opposition to improve their chances against the Syrian regime. He described the large number of casualties in Syria as horrible and called on the international community to step in immediately to end the violence in the Arab country. "The efforts of the international community fell short of addressing the Syrian crisis effectively and peacefully," Sheikh Hamad regretted. In the meantime, he expressed hope that there will be a revival, especially after a number of countries confirmed that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons. The Prime Minister added that the Syrian people were in urgent need of humanitarian aid just as the Syrian opposition needs support. He warned of growing threats by terrorists in the region if the conflict in Syria continues. "While the international community is looking for a political solution, the Syrian regime seeks more destruction and murder," he added.