Changing the Syrian regime by force to be "disastrous"

As the UN Security Council still seems divided over finding an appropriate approach to end the simmering tension in Syria, opponents and proponents in the unrest- torn country appear to be united over rejecting any form of changing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad by force, considering that it would be "disastrous."

Assad has recently warned that any foreign intervention in his country would lead to a "temblor in the region."

George Gabbour, a political analyst, believed that the Syrians reject the use of force to topple the regime in their country, because "the use of military power would be disastrous and it doesn't commensurate with the interests of a large segment of the Syrian people, especially that there are other segments, which support the president's reforms and don't want him overthrown."

Toppling the regime by force is "a violation to the United Nations' charter and the principles of international law," he told Xinhua by phone.

On the opposition side, Hasan Abdul-Azim, head of the opposing National Coordination Body, voiced rejection to the concept of using force to change the Assad regime, pointing that "such intervention would pose dangerous repercussions on the Syrian and regional arena as well."

During a phone call with Xinhua, Azim criticized the regime's approach in handling the crisis, saying "no regime can resist the ambitions and aspirations of its people, especially as the region is witnessing major changes ... and the Syrian regime can't be an exception in this context."

He expressed optimism that change "will occur in Syria, not by military force but through peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins and civil disobedience."

Political activist Izz al-Din Abboud told Xinhua that "the change in Syria is inevitable but not through military force as in Libya because that would only complicate the situation even more."

Abboud, who is from the Druze minority, expressed astonishment over the Syrian minorities' fears of regime change, accusing the regime of "implanting such fears among the minorities" to preserve their support.Faroq Hajji, another political activist, said that any use of military force to topple Assad's regime would lead to " deterioration of the situation in Syria and more shed of the Syrian blood."

In a phone call with Xinhua, Hajji criticized protests that turned into unrest, stressing that "they should remain peaceful as it started."

"The geopolitical site of Syria is exceptional as it's close to Israel, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, as well as its allies with Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah," Hajji said, adding that "any use of force amid this complicated political landscape would rebound negatively on the regional situation."

As for the West's interests in the region, Hajji said " globalization has dedicated a new logic in international relations, and therefore, the Western countries are looking to make the Middle East an area of their influence."

The UN Security council convened Tuesday in presence of foreign ministers of the United States, Russia, China and the Arab League (AL) chief Nabil al-Arabi, to discuss the AL's recent plan calling on Syrian President Assad to step down, as well as to pass a resolution condemning violence in Syria.

The council members failed to reach an agreement on the issue and met again behind closed doors on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the draft resolution on Syria.

On Friday, UN Security Council failed to reach an agreement over the resolution on Syria because of Russia's opposition to the clause hinting on the possible regime change in Damascus.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said Friday that Russia would not support the updated version of the West-Arab draft resolution on Syria as it still fails to take into account Moscow's principal considerations.

"We have received the text (of the revised draft). Although some of our concerns have been considered, nevertheless, this is not enough for us to support it," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennadi Gatilov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

The draft was officially published in a final version but no proposals about its voting have been made, the diplomat added. He said no ballot in the United Nations was expected in the next few days and the consultations could be continued.

The Syrian leadership has accused the broad-based opposition of acting out a Western plot by calling for foreign intervention and smuggling in weapons and ammunition to militia groups inside the country. Those militia groups call themselves the "Free Syrian Army," who launch attacks on government and military bases, citing the government's crackdown on opposition protesters in the 10- month-old unrest.

The Syrian government said more than 2,000 army and security personnel have been killed during the months-long unrest, while the United Nations put the death toll in the country at more than 5,400.