QNA & AGENCIES TUNIS PRIME Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani, who has been a driving force to unite Arab opinion against the Syrian regime, called on Syrian President Bashar al Assad to step down.

The prime minister was speaking at the Friends of Syria conference in Tunis on Friday.

“We want this meeting to be a start to stopping the violence in Syria and this cannot be done except after the formation of an international Arab force to maintain security, the opening of secure humanitarian corridors to bring aid to the Syrian people and the application of Arab League decisions,” he said at the meeting.

The premier also called for the recognition of the Syrian National Council as an opposition force.

He said that the convening of the Friends of Syria Conference was based on humanitarian and ethical considerations as well as willingness on part of the international community to resolve this crisis and help the Syrian people in achieving their legitimate demands for freedom and justice.

Referring to the UN General Assembly adoption of the Arab draft resolution on Syria, the prime minister said that the vote in favour of the draft resolution by an overwhelming majority gave a clear message to the regime in Syria to listen to the voice of reason and wisdom, and to respond to calls for stemming the bloodshed in the country.

The premier noted that the Syrian regime has taken advantage of the UN Security Council failure to pass a resolution condemning violence following the Russian and Chinese veto.

The prime minister termed the claim of reforms in Syria as hollow. He said that attempts were being made to buy time and accused the Syrian regime of attempting to circumvent the Arab League’s initiative.

The Arab initiative on Syria calls for forming a national reconciliation government that would pave the way for establishing a pluralistic political system in which all citizens are equal. The prime minister urged the Human Rights Council, which will meet in two days, to take tough measure for violation of human rights of the Syrian people. He stressed the need for achieving the stability and political independence of Syria “We should concentrate our efforts on empowering the Syrian opposition, which will be the backbone of a new democratic regime,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.