News Release

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**January 23, 2012 -** Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today issued the following statement:

“We welcome the Arab League’s report and proposal to have Assad move aside, paving the way for free elections; it is all the more important given the inability, to this point, of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the crisis in Syria.

“We strongly support Arab League efforts to achieve a peaceful transition of power and we urge the UNSC to back this effort.

“We are increasingly concerned that Assad is using the League’s observer mission as cover for his campaign of terror and violence against the Syrian people.

“We condemn the Syrian authorities’ continued slaughter of innocent Syrians despite the presence of Arab League monitors. Sadly, Arab League monitors face a desperate regime that will do anything to maintain its grip on power.

“Canada continues to call on Assad to step down immediately and stands ready to support the Syrian people’s demands for change.

“Canada is working with international partners—the Arab League and others—to bring pressure to bear on Assad and his supporters. We are continuously monitoring the situation on the ground and are considering additional measures against the Assad regime.”