Syria’s Suspension from Islamic Group Shows Assad’s Isolation

16 August 2012

By Stephen Kaufman | Staff Writer |

Washington — The Obama administration welcomed the decision of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to suspend Syria’s membership in the OIC because of the ongoing violence against the Syrian people by Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said August 15 that Syria’s suspension “sent a strong message” to the Assad regime and commended the OIC for the move and for its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the 17-month-old conflict.

“Today’s action underscores the Assad regime’s increasing international isolation and the widespread support for the Syrian people and their struggle for a democratic state that represents their aspirations and respects their human rights,” Nuland said in a statement released by the State Department.

The United States sent Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad Hussain to the organization’s heads of state summit in the Muslim holy city of Mecca.

Hussain held bilateral meetings with several leaders on the margins of the summit to discuss Syria and other issues, according to an August 15 State Department media note.

“Special Envoy Hussain’s attendance demonstrates the United States’ commitment to working with our partners in the international community to support the aspirations of the Syrian people and bring additional pressure to bear on the Assad regime,” the media note said.

U.N. HUMANITARIAN CHIEF CALLS FOR MORE SYRIA AID

In Damascus, Syria, the United Nations' Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos warned that 2.5 million Syrians are in dire need of assistance, and she urged more international funding to support the efforts of nongovernmental organizations on the ground.

“There is more we could be doing right now in areas that are safe enough and where we have established solid partnerships with NGOs and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” Amos said August 16, according to the U.N. News Centre.

Many families have been displaced as a result of the violence and are now living in public buildings and schools, and in need of health care, shelter, food, water and sanitation, she said.

The 2.5 million figure is a dramatic increase from Amos’ March estimates, when she said 1 million were in need of help, and she said lack of funding, as well as insecurity and restrictions in the country, is holding back existing aid efforts.

On August 11, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the United States is contributing an additional $5.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support those who have fled the violence.

“With these contributions, the United States is now providing nearly $82 million for food, emergency health care, blankets, hygiene kits and other humanitarian relief” for Syrian refugees, Clinton said at a news conference in Istanbul.