Arab League defends the choice of observer mission chief to Syria

January 3, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – The Arab League on Tuesday defended the composition of its observer mission sent to Syria with a mandate to monitor the government compliance with an accord that stipulates withdrawing troops from major cities among other conditions.

The mission has also been criticized by Syrian opposition and international human rights groups over the choice of a former top Sudanese military commander, General Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, to head it.

Amnesty International says that Dabi led various security organisations in Sudan which were accused of being responsible for the arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, and torture or other ill-treatment of dissidents.

But the Arab League deputy chief Ahmad Bin Heli hailed Dabi’s performance so far, saying that he is carrying his duties in an “efficient and responsible” manner.

He added that Dabi helped create an atmosphere of conformity between the members of his mission in a “team spirit”.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, in his first remarks since the observers were deployed last week, said that it had managed to secure the release of political prisoners and the withdrawal of tanks from cities. He said the mission “needs more time”.

He revealed that the Arab foreign ministers could meet as early as next week to review a report expected to be submitted later this week by Dabi.

More than 5,000 people have been killed so far in the Syrian crackdown which started earlier this year, according to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR).

(ST)