U.N. Attempts to Reach ‘Political Solution’ to Syria Crackdown, U.S. Sanctions Might Target Maher Assad

U.N. leader Ban Ki-moon and western nations expressed growing alarm on Tuesday at the deadly clampdown in Syria, but the U.N. Security Council made little headway in efforts to agree to condemn the violence.

Syria's U.N. envoy pleaded for international understanding for President Bashar Assad, but the U.S. ambassador accused Assad of "disingenuously blaming outsiders" while seeking Iran's help to put down protests.

The U.N. secretary general said he was watching events in Syria "with increasingly grave concern," after briefing the 15-nation Security Council about the crisis in the Arab world.

"I condemn, utterly, the continuing violence against peaceful demonstrators, most particularly the use of tanks and live fire that have killed and injured hundreds of people," he added.

The Security Council held talks on Syria but did not start detailed discussions on a draft resolution proposed by France, Germany, Britain and Portugal, aiming to condemn the Syria violence, diplomats said.

The council was to meet again Wednesday for talks on the draft.

Syria's U.N. ambassador Bashar Jaafari rejected any suggestion of an international investigation into the protests.

"We will undertake any investigation by ourselves, with full transparency. We have nothing to hide," he told reporters.

"We regret what is going on, but you should acknowledge that this unrest and riots, in some of the aspects, have hidden agendas," he said.

The envoy said all of the dead would be treated as "martyrs" with the children of victims given free schooling.

Assad "should be given a chance to fulfill his mission in reforming the political life in the country," Jaafari added.

The U.S. ambassador followed Jaafari to speak to reporters and declared: "The brutal violence being used by the government of Syria against its own people is abhorrent and deplorable."

Rice said the Assad's "actions to repeal the decades old emergency law and allow for peaceful demonstrations were clearly not serious given the continued violent repression against protesters."

Condemning the Syria's crackdown, Rice added, "We continue to oppose its continued destabilizing behavior more generally, including support for terrorism and terrorist groups.

"Instead of listening to his own people President Assad is disingenuously blaming outsiders while at the same time seeking Iranian assistance in repressing Syria's citizens through the same brutal tactics that have been used by the Iranian regime."

Informed sources in Washington told An Nahar newspaper that the U.S. sanctions on Syria will reach a number of Syrian officials including the brother of the Syrian President and head of the Presidential Guard, Maher Assad, for violence against protesters during anti-regime rallies.

Sources expect that the sanctions will be issued before the “next big day” which is Friday, the day that huge rallies are held.

The U.S. ambassador to Syria Robert ford held meeting with the Syrian officials including the Syrian foreign minister Walid al Muallim and his assistant Faysal al-Muqdad and conveyed to them Washington stances, An Nahar said.

“Ford held a meeting Wednesday night with al-Muallim and expressed the American resentment for the violence against protesters,” the daily reported.

Rights groups say at least 400 people have been killed in the Syria protests. Ban backed a call by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay for an "independent, transparent and effective investigation" into the crackdown.

Diplomats said Russia appeared the main block to the statement which also proposed giving backing to calls for an investigation. China would also push for a "political solution," its envoy Li Baodong said.

Germany's ambassador Peter Wittig said the "disturbing events" in Syria require Security Council attention. He warned of "repercussions" in the rest of the Middle East.

Syria plays a key role in the region on issues of major interest to Washington and its security concerns, including the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Lebanon's political stability and the Iranian nuclear program.(AFP-Naharnet)