Arab League Approves Sanctions on Syria
The Arab League has voted to approve economic sanctions on Syria due to attacks by government security protesters, as Qatar warned international intervention could take place if the latest sanctions fail to end the crisis.
Nineteen of 22 members voted in favor of the sanctions. Actions include a ban on commercial flights from Syria to Arab nations, a travel ban on officials, an end to interaction with the Syrian central bank, and an stop to investments in Syria.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani told reporters the sanctions are taking place to avoid a U.N. Security Council resolution that could lead to airstrikes, in a similar way to what happened in the case of Libya, according to Reuters.
“All the work that we are doing is to avoid this interference,” he said.
The Arab League will impose economic sanctions on Syria on Sunday due to attacks by government security forces on protesters.