MSPs call for Syrian president to resign

A RECORD number of MSPs have backed a parliamentary motion condemning the violence of the Assad regime and calling on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down immediately.

Scotland for Syria, a motion tabled on 1 July in the name of MSP Sandra White, has already attracted cross-party support from 65 politicians, including deputy presiding officer Elaine Smith, former presiding officer Alex Fergusson, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie.

Chairperson of the Scottish Syrian Society, Dr Anas Nassan, said: "As a Scot born in Syria and raising a family here as Scottish, I am so proud that my parliament has stood up loud and clear and on a genuinely all-party basis, and said no to tyranny and yes to freedom of assembly, free speech and democracy.

"This overwhelming message from Scotland's parliamentarians - that President Bashar al-Assad has no useful role left to play and should stand down immediately - will be heard loud and clear.

"Scotland has a good reputation in all Arab countries as a freedom-loving nation and something of an opinion leader country in the international arena."

Ahmad Al-Hu-Sari, of the British Syrians & Friends of the Syrian Revolution, a Syrian-born student now at Glasgow Caledonian University, added: "The level of support for this motion is so heartening to me and to all my friends and family in Syria at this most difficult of times.

"Furthermore, it will act as a spur to action for the Syrian community throughout the UK to start similar initiatives at Westminster."