CAIRO: Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr has called on the Syrian government to end the violence against its people. It is the first such statement from the Egyptian government on the ongoing government attacks on civilians. At least 1,600 people have been killed in Syria since protesters took to the streets on March 15 calling for the end of the Bashar al-Assad regime. “Egypt follows up the serious situation in Syria with growing concerns,” Amr said in a press statement issued by his office on Tuesday. He underscored the necessity for urgent moves to rescue Syrian citizens by saying “Syria is moving towards the point of no return.” In order to avoid any foreign interference to Syrian internal affairs, reforms on the national level must be implemented, he added. “Reforms mingled with the daily martyr's blood are useless, and there should be an immediate halt of violence. Speedy and urgent moves towards dialogues should be taken immediately,” said Amr. The Arab League called on Sunday for the Syrian authorities to immediately stop all acts of violence and take necessary steps to maintain the national unity. BM
