European liberals criticise UN resolution on Syria

The Alliance for Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) in the European Parliament Friday criticised the UN resolution on Syria saying it does not go far enough. Last night the five permanent members of the UN security council reached an agreement on the wording of what they call a "binding and enforceable" resolution to eliminate Syria's stockpiles of chemical weapons. ALDE, the third largest political group in the EP, in a statement said although it is a positive development that agreement has been reached, "the resolution does not fall under chapter 7, which means that no action will automatically follow if Syria does not comply." Neither does the resolution ascribe blame for the 21st August massacre near Damascus. ALDE Group President, Guy Verhofstadt, said "we should be crystal clear that what we want is an end to the bloodshed, and thus an end to the criminal regime." "We cannot be seen to be acknowledging that as long as chemical weapons are under international control then the massacres may continue by conventional means. This would be immoral, hypocritical and irresponsible," said Verhofstadt an ex -Belgian Prime Minister