The decision of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to recall their envoys from Damascus reflects a tough new Arab stand on the Syrian regime’s deadly crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.
“This is the first clear toughening” of the position of Saudi Arabia, the Sunni Arab heavyweight and leader of the oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council, said Paul Salem, director of the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Centre.
King Abdullah on Sunday sent a firm message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, telling him to “stop the killing machine and the bloodshed... before it is too late,” after months-long Saudi silence on the protests.
The Saudi monarch also urged the Syrian government to introduce “comprehensive and quick reforms.”
“The future of Syria lies between two options: either Syria chooses willingly to resort to reason, or faces being swept into deep chaos, God forbid,” the ultra-conservative state’s ruler warned.
On Monday, Kuwait followed suit, as Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah announced that the Gulf state was also recalling its envoy from Damascus as he slammed the “bloodshed” in Syria.
With neighbouring Bahrain also taking the same action, Sheikh Mohammed said that foreign ministers of the six-nation GCC would meet soon to discuss the crisis in Syria.
“This is an indication of a movement in the Gulf, at the level of people and governments, to put pressure on the Syrian regime,” said Kuwaiti political analyst Anwar al-Rasheed.
“It does not seem that Saudi Arabia has really put its weight and money behind the revolution. So far, this is the first indication that they are taking a tough stand,” remarked Mr Salem.
“We don’t know yet if it will translate into direct financial support to the rebels,” he added.
Saudi political science lecturer Sadaqa Fadhel said that King Abdullah’s message reflected a “firm Arab and Muslim position” which could lead to further pressure.
“The Saudi position is just a warning for now, but the kingdom could take tougher measures,” he said.
An editorial in the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan said the king’s statement “drew the path for the Syrian regime to exit the crisis ... as it includes a clear call to use reason, end bloodshed and introduce serious reforms”.
The call appeared to have followed “contacts which hit a brick wall”.
Ties between Riyadh and Damascus have hit rough patches in the past, notably after the 2005 assassination of Saudi Arabia’s protege in Lebanon, former premier Rafiq Hariri, at a time when Syrian troops controlled the country.
But the absolute monarchy had so far shied away from declaring support for pro-democracy uprisings which have swept several Arab countries, apparently for fear of a knock-on effect.
“We do see a response to Arab and Sunni public opinion... The leader of the Sunni world cannot continue to say nothing,” said Mr Salem.
“Events have passed the point of being ignored. Even though Saudi Arabia is not enthusiastic about revolutions, it has to take a stand,” he said.
“They are worried that if the revolution succeeds in Syria, it could reach Saudi Arabia,” he said, although protest calls in the kingdom have fizzled out, apart from small scale Shiite demonstrations in its Eastern Province.
The Arab League on Sunday made its first official statement on the unrest in Syria, calling on Damascus to “immediately” stop the violence that has raged since mid-March.
The League’s secretary general, Nabil al-Arabi, also urged an “impartial probe” into the bloodshed, warning against “chaos” and “religious strife” in Syria.
How the crisis developed
The main reactions to the Syrian regime’s deadly repression of the protest movement rocking the country since mid-March, and measures taken by the international community in response:
March
17: France condemns violence by the security forces in Damascus, two days after the start of protests.
18: The US strongly condemns the violence after four people die and hundreds are wounded.
April
22: US President Barack Obama condemns Syria’s “outrageous” use of violence after security forces reportedly shoot dead at least 80 people.
27: Several European countries summon Syria’s ambassadors.
29: Washington imposes new sanctions on Syria, including on President Bashar al-Assad’s younger brother Maher.
May
9: The EU tightens sanctions targeting Assad’s brother and inner circle.
18: Washington imposes sanctions on Assad and other regime leaders.
27: French President Nicolas Sarkozy joins a call from Obama for Assad to lead a transition or step down.
June
10: Turkey slams Syria’s treatment of the bodies of women slain by the security forces an “atrocity.”
20: Assad has reached “a point of no return,” France says.
29: The US imposes sanctions on Syria’s Political Security Directorate.
July
8: The US and French ambassadors separately visit the flashpoint town of Hama, amid massive demonstrations.
11: Pro-regime crowds attack the US and French embassies.
13: The US says Assad has lost legitimacy. Britain summons Syria’s ambassador.
16: Syrian dissidents meet in Istanbul, in the third such meeting in Turkey.
18: Britain calls for Assad to implement reforms or leave power.
31: Obama says he is “appalled” by Syria’s crackdown.
August
1: Russia urges Syria to immediately stop the use of force and repression.
2: The EU extends to 30 its blacklist of individuals and businesses associated with the repression.
3: The UN Security Council condemns the crackdown in a statement, but not a resolution.
4: Washington warns that Assad has put Syria and the Middle East on a “very dangerous path.” France slams Assad’s decree authorising political parties as a “provocation.” Russia expresses “enormous concern” over the violence in Syria.
5: Kuwait urges a halt in the bloodshed. Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Sarkozy warn of new measures against Mr Assad, after another 14 people are killed in protests.
6: The Gulf Cooperation Council urges an end to the bloodshed. UN chief Ban Ki-moon tells Assad to immediately end his campaign.
7: At least 54 civilians killed, mainly in Deir Ezzor in the northeast. The Arab League calls for an “immediate” stop to the violence, and Pope Benedict XVI calls for an adequate response to the “legitimate aspirations” of the Syrian people. Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador from Damascus.
8: Kuwait recalls its ambassador from Syria. The EU mulls new sanctions. The top Sunni Muslim authority, Al-Azhar in Cairo, calls for an end to the “tragedy” in Syria, saying the situation has gone too far.