Arab League turns to UN for support on Syria

[pampango]

6. Aljazeera: Syria rejects Arab League transition plan

Syria has condemned a new Arab League initiative that calls on President Bashar al-Assad to cede power by holding early elections and forming a "national unity government".

Syrian state television, quoting an unnamed official source, said early on Monday morning that the resolution, passed on Sunday night, contradicted the will of the Syrian people and was a violation of its national sovereignty. The source said the resolution was part of a conspiracy against the Syrian people.

"After the establishment of the government of national unity, there has to be a referendum and preparation for new elections. The Arab League's Secretary-General is to send a new special envoy to Syria, and will call on the international community to support this national unity government to fulfill its functions," he said.

"We are looking into an Arab solution for this. We are not looking for a military intervention. The decision was by consensus, except Algeria which had some reservations. Lebanon has abstained, and we appreciate their situation there and we thank them for their cooperation," he said.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/01/201212305618873831.html

It seems that Assad's definition of "Syrian national sovereignty" is "my continued rule". The Arab League proposal would require a government of national unity, a referendum and preparation for an election. Don't see much other than Syrians making decisions in that process so I don't see how "national sovereignty" is threatened - just Assad's continued rule.