NEW INITIATIVE HARD TO REALIZE IN SHORT TERM

Arab analysts pointed out that the new Arab initiative actually imitates the Yemeni approach to solving the crisis in Syria. They said the approach is a sort of compromise between the opposition's request to overthrow Assad's government and the current government's solution of ending the revolt by force.

However, analysts said, considering the current situations in Syria and abroad, the new initiative could hardly be realized in the short term.

They argued Assad still retains firm control of the army, security and intelligence agencies as well as the situation overall in Syria. Unless it allows foreign military intervention in Syria, it is very hard for the opposition to overthrow the Assad administration. In fact, analysts estimated that pro-Assad supporters in Syria still outnumber those who oppose him.

On the opposition side, the SNC called for overthrowing the current government, protecting civilians and referring the Syria issue to the UN Security Council. Unfortunately, they lack strong support.

As regards outside forces, though the United States, the European Union, Turkey and the AL all demand Assad step down, they cannot take military action against Syria in the short term.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Tuesday that "The Arab League's role in solving the Syria crisis has ended" as it decided to refer the Syria issue to the UN Security Council.

GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL WITHDRAWS OBSERVERS FROM AL MONITORING MISSION

After the announcement of the new Arab solution to the crisis, the relations between Syria and the AL became tense again. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s decision Tuesday to withdraw its observers from Syria is a clear indication of this.

GCC members said in a statement that the decision was made because the Syrian government failed to end the "bloodshed" and implement the Arab plan. They called on the UN Security Council to use all means necessary to press the Syrian government to implement the already reached protocol.

AL Deputy Secretary General Ahmed Bin Heli said that the sending or withdrawal of the GCC countries' observers from Syria is a sovereign decision, and he stressed that the mission would still perform its duty in Syria.