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January 11, 2012

U.N.: Increased Killings Since Arrival of Arab League Mission 
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In his first public speech since June, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
pledged to enact more reforms but rejected the full-scale changes
demanded by the protests, which he blamed on a foreign conspiracy.
Meanwhile at the United Nations, U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said
killings have accelerated since the arrival of the Arab League
observers.

Susan Rice: "The Under-Secretary-General noted that in the days since
the Arab League monitoring mission has been on the ground, in fact an
estimated 400 additional people have been killed, an average of 40 a
day, a rate much higher than was the case even before their deployment.
That is a clear indication that the government of Syria, rather than
using the opportunity of its commitment to the Arab League to end the
violence and fulfill all of its commitments under the protocol, is
instead stepping up the violence."



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