Syrians rap Arab League sanctions

Demonstrators took to the streets in the capital Damascus, the northeastern city of Hasakah, and the northwestern city of Aleppo on Monday, a day after the Arab League approved the sanctions against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Demonstrations were also held in the northeastern city of Deir al-Zour and the southwestern city of Shahba.

Syrian demonstrators said that their country will remain a symbol of resistance.

The Arab League approved unprecedented sanctions against Syria during a session in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sunday. Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim said in a press conference after the session that 19 of the 22 member nations of the Arab organization were in favor of the sanctions. Iraq and Lebanon abstained.

The sanctions approved against Syria include cutting transactions with the Syrian Central Bank and an embargo on the investments for projects in Syria.

Damascus censured the Arab League decision on Sunday, describing it as “a betrayal of Arab solidarity.”

On November 12, the Arab League voted to suspend Syria's membership during an emergency session in Cairo, and called for the imposition of sanctions against the country.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem accused the Arab League of seeking to “internationalize” the unrest in Syria.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March, with demonstrations being held both in favor of and against President Bashar al-Assad. Hundreds of people, including members of the security forces, have been killed in the turmoil.

Damascus blames “outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups” for the unrest, saying that it is being orchestrated from abroad.

President Assad has warned against any foreign attack against Syria, saying the military action will cause instability in the whole Middle East.