Islam Times - US meddling in Syrian affairs censured

Islam Times - Syria has strongly condemned the US for advising armed Syrians not to surrender themselves to the government after Damascus granted amnesty to those who lay down arms.

Islam Times: According to SANA, a Syrian Foreign Ministry official on Saturday blasted the move as blatant interference in Syria's internal affairs.

"The American administration disclosed again its blatant interference in Syria's internal affairs, and its policy which supports killing, in addition to its funding of the terrorist groups in Syria," SANA quoted the Foreign Ministry official as saying.

Syria's Interior Ministry on Friday granted amnesty to those who surrender their weapons from November 5 to 12, 2011.

However, US State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland advised Syrians against the move.

"I wouldn't advise anybody to turn themselves in to regime authorities at the moment," said Nuland.

Damascus says such US policies violate international law and UN resolutions against terrorism.

The Syrian official added that Damascus "condemns these irresponsible statements which only aim at inciting sedition, supporting the acts of killing and the terrorism practiced by the armed groups against the Syrian citizens."

On Wednesday, Damascus accepted a peace plan proposed by the 22-member Arab League, which calls for dialogue between the government and the opposition.

Syria, which has been experiencing unrest since mid-March, also agreed to release prisoners detained in connection with the recent violence and to allow foreign journalists, rights groups and Arab League representatives to move freely and monitor the situation in the country.

While the Syrian opposition accuses security forces of cracking down on anti-government protesters, Damascus blames the violence on outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups sponsored by foreign countries.