Iraq calls on Syria to stop quelling protesters

In his first response to the Syrian crisis, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Malki has called for Damascus to begin with reconciliation and stop quelling protesters in an interview last Friday. While he was urging the government to respond to the peoples demands, Al Malki said: “the Syrian government has the potential to start reconciliation.” He also expressed his wish to stop using violence in quelling protests in Syria. He added: “we stand by the people in demanding freedom, democracy and diversity, but we do not support violence and destruction.” On the other hand, Al Malki considered overthrowing regimes, as what had recently happened in the region, will become a disaster that will affect the situation in the Arab world.