there's something called the free syrian army and those are all noble soldiers that belong to the syrian army that refused to open fire and peaceful protestors and they're engaging in their in their original mandate in their rightful mandate of civilian protection and they are you know they are members of the army their job their duty is to defend the syrian people to defend defend defend the fenceless of millions and that's exactly what they do when defenseless civilians and protesters are being attacked brutally by security forces and by members of the sudden militias of course they're going to fire back and of course they're going to be out of these around the cycle that they're still going to have an issue that's a definition of a civil war rick what do you think about that because before we have the international dimension here what is going on inside syria because there is a media blackout so there's a lot of questioning is what it's going on what's going on there right now. well i think i think you saw the beginnings of the civil war you see the breakdown of order in the military

the syrian people and i think the vast overwhelming majority of the syrian people simply want a free and democratic stable syria. but the steps to get there are complicated steps i think it's possible that syria will reach some kind of happy democratic state but they certainly won't reach a democratic state under the assad regime it will be a long and very painful process to get there but i think the thing that we really need to remember the middle road that we have to that we have to attack here is there the end goal is not a syria without the shadow of. a free and prosperous syria and the elimination of the shuttle as it is a necessary but not sufficient step towards that goal it's important that we maintain certain kind of. watchfulness and pressure on the syrian opposition movement to make sure that they do produce something that's that's conducive to producing a viable strong democracy in the long term and that's not necessarily what's going to come out of these revolutions right and this comes back to the international intervention question that the regional players don't neces

they have sanctioned syrian banks. the syrians have not been able to find other customers. with the other subjects we have talked about, it is worth remembering where we were not very long ago and where we are today, which helps to give us a sense of inevitability that basically bushar is finished. >> this is a tough one to answer. sanctions as it relates to turkey, why do you think they have not taken that step? can they? will they? >> i do not know. all of us have been caught in discussions with the turkish officials, as have our bosses, a cabinet level in the white house with the turks. they have played an important role. they have played an essential role. in terms of providing space for the operation. the embargo they put in place -- opposition has had an impact on the regime's ability. in practice, much of the economic ties between the two countries has already dried up, just as a matter of course. we would like to see them take additional steps of action, putting in some legal sanctions that parallel the sanctions that the eu, the united states, japan, and canada hav

sanctions at the weekend triggering mass protests in the country the pressure piles on the regime syrian opposition coming to moscow for talks let's get more on this now from our tease a key to all of peter what is the syrian national council actually hoping to achieve with this visit. will this meeting the highest level member of the syrian opposition meeting with representatives of the russian government it will get underway at around hours time will over an hour it's on the schedule for and what they'll be hoping is that the syrian side are hoping that the russians can help them with finding a solution to the ongoing situation in the country now this is the first time the representatives of the syrian opposition or in fact the syrian government has been here in moscow for talks russia has been making good on its promise to act as a mediator in the ongoing crisis in syria say this meeting will see the highest level representative of the syrian opposition meeting with russian officials they

then it was recorded by a popular syrian singer, ibrahim qashoush.t became the people's anthem. ( singer and crowd singing in arabic ) >> it's kind of a popular song. the lyrics was carefully chosen, and sometimes funny, sometimes humor, sometimes very deep. and it was soon all over the country. ( singer and crowd singing ) >> narrator: but in july, the singer was silenced. >> eventually, they got hold of him. and they tortured him brutally to a limit that they took off his... his throat. and they ditched him in the river. when he was discovered, his throat was obviously cut out, just to send a message that whoever dares to chant against bashar al-assad will face a similar destiny. >> narrator: the regime also organized mass rallies of its own. in damascus and aleppo, government workers were called to the streets. ( chanting in arabic ) >> there is a very strong well of support for the regime in those cities. and this is vital for the regime, because the last thing they want to see is a situation that occurred in... in egypt, in tahrir square in... i

and the arab league did say today saturday as the deadline for the syrian authorities to respond to a peace plan proposal that is on the table now this proposal includes insisting that the syrian military has proof in those areas where there has been and continues to be violence there also freaking sanctions against the syrian president bashar assad if he does not bring this violence under control now the latest word we have from the syrian authorities was an unofficial speaking anonymously he spoke on friday and he said that in principle the syrian regime agreed to the proposal particularly the proposal by the arab league to stay in hundreds of observers to syria to study the situation on the ground other than him we've heard no other word from the syrian regime about this dave nonis will expire any time now at the same time it hasn't been any response from the arab league itself now it is important to note that they have been demonstrations both for and against the syrian regime thousands of people taking to the streets so the syrian society certainly is divided over this issue thro

the syrian national army is gaining in strength. >> what can you say to me that the syrian free army is there and is growing? what evidence is there? >> well, every day we see youtube videos for both the normal soldiers and officers who come on tv can and they display id cards and announce their defection. this is happening on a daily basis. since a few months ago. we also have had a meeting last week between the snc and the leader of the national army. >> ok, i take your point. let's move on to a wider question. what do you want from the arab league summit? >> well, two things. i hopefully will cover two main points in the meeting. first, to reinforce the resolutions that have been taken in cairo a few days ago. based on the fact that the syrian regime has not really fulfilled its promises whatsoever regarding the initiative. secondly, the arab league, in cooperation with turkey and that other regional power -- with turkey and other regional powers, this is very important because in the syrian national council we think this is the main priority, which is to protect our people. >> ho

national council and the free syrian army and supporting them surprisingly openly. and so it's not a funny old world of the best of times with her ironic isn't it that this big deadly crash lands a government protest is it another middle east country or a distant yesterday passing through the streets that yes yes no reaction of that from the u.s. and its allies but it seems to be a very different story when it comes to syria one of these differences between syria and bahrain for instance but i think that's the case with a lot of countries and we haven't just seen it with the united states we've seen it with saudi arabia who has roundly condemned the crackdowns in syria but actually took part in the crackdowns and bahrain. a lot of these countries are trying to use the arab strain which is merely a winter at this point to their own ends and hoping that whatever comes out of them is going to benefit them and if it doesn't look like it's going to benefit them then they're not so supportive we've seen the pictures over the last week we show you on this channel of the he

the syrian national council says the free syrian army carried out the attack on the base with rocket-propelled grenades. arab league foreign ministers are gathering shortly, and they're expected to confirm syria's suspension over the crackdown on protesters. large crowds have turned out in various cities to oppose the arab league's decision. we can go over to the bbc's jonathan head, who joins us live from istanbul. jonathan, you have some perspective on the free syrian army and the latest moves within the country. >> we've been speaking to the syrian national council here, and the council doesn't formally connect itself to the free syrian army, but they're all working for the same thing. they're saying this attack that's just been reported was carried out by the free syrian army, and it seems to have been quite an ambitious attack on an air force intelligence compound. the air force intelligence branch of the syrian security forces has been very involved in the crackdown on the opposition, and it's deeply feared it's one of the worst places you can go, according to figures, if you get detaine

against the syrian government.here at the arab league, they are sending military and human rights observers to monitor the situation inside syria. it will be another test. everything suggests the other arab leaders are looking beyond the time of president assad in charge of syria. bbc news, cairo. >> for more of that exclusive interview with king abdullah, our reporter is in london. she conducted that interview. were you surprised to hear king abdullah at saying so decisively that became -- the president should go? >> he couched it by saying, "if i was in his position, i would stand down." to make it available to move to another phase of a syrian political life. that is clear. it was simply not an individual stepping down. it was the system that was not allowing for political reform. he was also very clear that the president had changed, and he had reached out to him earlier this year. the arab league had been trying to engage them. he said, unfortunately, the syrian president was not interested in engaging in any

the syrian national council must be committed to protecting all, the, of ethnic groups g syrian national council must speak with one voice and make it clear that they will advocate minority rights in the new government in hopes to create. the syrian people deserve answers to these key questions, which will in large part determine the degree of support the opposition has inside and outside the country. secretary of state hillary clinton said in a speech on monday that assad "cannot deny his people's legitimate demands indefinitely. he must step down, and until he does, america and the international community will continue to increase pressure on him and his brutal regime." so said secretary clinton. my questions today will center primarily on how we can and will increase the pressure on this regime. i look forward to hearing from our witnesses on a number of key issues. first, what can regional powers, including the arab league and turkey, due to play a more constructive role in supporting the democratic reform process in syria? second, what is the impact of current u.s. sanctions on the

against the syrian armed forces. well also ahead for you this hour on r.t. spying secrets and scandal woman who's accused of working for a russian intelligence order to gain information politician awaits her fate u.k. court. while western economies are struggling it's the east that's been seeing rapid financial growth china's presence in europe can now be felt more than ever because beijing has been making strategic investments although it's too cautious about buying the continent's debt parties itself reports now on china's growing influence in the e.u. . and the fashion capital of the world where you can be sure to sponsor an emerging trend right now is the economy here this being getting a make a for with the west seeking east an inspiration concept is silly and you're going to want to sell but forget the italian business model with its focus on some fine and expensive production business here is saying this competition from its chinese counterparts with their emphasis on fast. some of the high streets here in the

assad as the united states and its allies call for tougher action to bring about the downfall of the syrian leader. turning up the heat tough talks between the u.s. and china over trading currency issues as the apec summit comes to a close in the white. u.s. police turn up the heat on. protesters tearing down tents and arresting activists as the crackdown on the movement escalates across the country. and later this hour qatar as eyeing a liquefied natural gas project in the arctic find out who might be its russian partner later this hour in the business but. international news and comment live from moscow this is r.t. with you twenty four hours a day the u.s. and its own eyes are more interested in regime change in syria than a peaceful solution to the rest that's according to the kremlin russia's foreign minister says western countries are trying to stir up syria's opposition to topple president bashar assad. has the details. circular frova said in a statement expressing russia's dismay at the decision to suspend syria from the arab league he said that's with russia's help and advice presi

all international platforms to campaign against the syrian government. he said the government frankly can no longer be trusted. this is very strong language. turkey is angry about the attacks by pro-assad demonstrate weekend, butthe anchored by months and months of its own efforts to get president embrace reform. also, the bloodshed along the border. all of those have spurred along but has not formally recognize the main opposition group. although, it is helping a lot. nor has it spelt out was sanctions it would take. i think that tells you something about the dilemmas facing all countries dealing with syria now. there are no good options. they're not fully confident in the opposition taking over or replacing president assad. they are not confident sanctions would work. the language is strong. the next that have not yet been spelled out. >> how significant is it that they have not named the opposition? how significant would it be if they did? >> it would be seen as symbolic in very important, given what happened in libya. it was when the national transit

against the syrian armed forces. a record number of egyptians have cast their votes in the country's first parliamentary election since the ousting of president mubarak preliminary results are expected later this week but despite the turnout the voting was still boycotted by many who are demanding the military rulers step down immediately it comes after ten days of bloody clashes with security forces which claimed more than forty ninth's and it's an army reports now from cairo. at least seems like a gyptian is are split into two camps and very simply outlined how they feel about this election and you have the group that is flat out boycotting this vote because they say the military rulers are still very much in charge it's them who came up with this system of voting they will essentially be the top people monitoring these votes and then you have the camp of people who don't agree of course with the military rulers especially in light of that crackdown that we saw just ahead of this vote but they feel like if they don

syrian population. hear, the atmosphere is uncanny. many say that they are watching and waiting. afghan security forces are in total control, able to quash any uprising instantly. this is not the only reason that tens of thousands of people gather every weekend in the square to show support. the syrian state publicizes these events as evidence of popular support. but many have the fears of falling into chaos are being invaded by the west. some fear the loss of status under the family rule. the regime supports all of those fears. they are full of reports of foreign terrorists attempting to destroy the country. activist videos show a different reality. the conflict is a struggle for the control of the truth. >> a journalist who has just returned from syria spoke to us from hamburg. we asked him to talk to us about what he witnessed in syria. >> what i actually saw was a child that was mortally wounded. i saw people that had been tortured. when i speak with a context that i still have a in syria, not much

syrian opposition leaders are in moscow for talks with russian officials as they try to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the country i'll have more not for the few moments. as unelected bankers and economists take the reins in greece and italy explores how the euro zone descended into trouble should just have to keep them out plus. thousands of american anti corporate protests will be defeated by arrests and great demonstrators marched back to their camp after police dismantle their tents. costing life in the heart of the russian capital this is. russia has lambasted the arab league's decision to expel syria and accusing nato countries of inciting violence there voted for suspension sanctions at the weekend triggering mass protests in the country the pressure piles on the regime syrian opposition leaders are coming to moscow for talks let's get more on this now from key to all of that peter what is the syrian national council actually hoping to achieve with this visit. well this meeting sees the highest level member of the syrian opposition meeting with representatives of the r

him back over the syrian border. most people around here think that he has been killed already. syrian refugees still come here to shop but they tend to be more wary now. some do not want to show their faces on camera. they all seemed to know about the disappearance of the colonel. turkish police keep an eye on us, although in the and they let us go on filming. the turkish army makes it hard to contact the leader of the syrian rebels who has come across the border. he, and all of the defecting soldiers, are now held in this camp. while we were filming, the turkish army came in and arrested us and a judge had to get us free. the only way we could interview the colonel was through the internet. it was all done very much at the last minute and was pretty bizarre. we set out in a nearby farm yard and the chief of the free syrian army appeared. we assure everyone, he says, the president of syria is finished. the syrian nation is determined to bring this dictator down. will it happen? god willing, doblin, very soon. the sy

says the united states and its allies call for tougher action to bring about the downfall of the syrian leader. turning up the heat for us on china strange tough language over trade and currency issues such as the apec summit comes to a close and who won. three two one. back in business the crew of three heads to the international space station on a russian soyuz it comes three months from the crash of a similar unmanned rocket that happened shortly after that. just after four pm on monday here in moscow this is on it's here with me. but u.s. and its allies are more interested in regime change in syria than a peaceful solution to the rest that's according to the kremlin russian foreign minister says that western countries are trying to stir up syria's opposition to president bashar al assad that's going to let us know there's a developing story with. moscow has been trying to mediate a peace deal in syria from months now what is the kremlin to think that western countries are pulling in the other direction. well circular for office said in a statement expressing russia's dismay at the d

in a meeting on the second of november a peace deal a deal to try and broker peace in the in the syrian conflict now. said he left office said this the decision to suspend syria from the arab league is counterproductive to a peace deal saying that the this decision really sends a message to the syrian opposition to to continue fighting against president assad's on the pro government forces in syria not getting them to the table to discuss a peaceful resolution to this now russia has tried to mediate in the past and has offered its services members representatives from both the syrian leadership and the syrian opposition have been here in moscow for talks and in fact in the next couple of days a senior syrian opposition member will be here in the russian capital for further talks to try to bring about that peaceful solution on wednesday we're expecting to see that rubber stamp on the decision to suspend syria from the arab league now the last nation to be suspended from the arab league was libya of course stuff that is altered in the outside military intervention something that russia ag

at the same time, they increased in attacks by syrian -- syrian army defectors who have called themselveshe syrian revolution army. >> how much longer can it go on? anti- government protestors like these have been bracing gunfire -- braving a gun fire for months. and still, they come out. it is not yet a full civil war, but soon could be. these men say they are defectors who joined the free syrian army they claimed to have killed 10 government soldiers to days ago. there are increasing numbers of similar result -- reports. the uprisinisin start ag to become an armed one. >> the only language that that tyrants like bashar assad and gaddafi no is violence because they are tyrant. it is the only language they understand. >> what can the international community do? even syria's arab neighbors have given up hope that bashar assad and transition to a more acceptable political system. they have given him an ultimatum of just three days to stop the violence. but there is not get a consensus. -- not yet a consensus. russia put blame on both sides. >> all countries who are worried about the events

him back over the syrian border. most people around here think he has been killed already. syrian refugees still come here to shop. they are more rarely now. some of them do not want to show their faces on camera. they know about the disappearance of the colonel. the turkish police keep an eye on them. they let us go through. the turkish army makes it hard to contact the leader of the syrian rebels. he has come across the border. all of the defecting soldiers are held in this one camp. while we were filming these pictures of the syrian soldiers, the turkish army came to rest of us and a judge had to get us free. the only reason -- the only way we could interview the colonel was by the internet. it was done at the last minute and it was bizarre, set up in a nearby -- firm -- farmyard. >> we assure everyone that the president of syria is finished. the syrian nation is determined to bring this dictator down. god willing, god willing very soon. the system is rotten to the core. it may look strong on the outside. at its h

well what we've heard from the syrian opposition delegation today is very interesting indeed they said that they would like to see a u.n. resolution put in place now this u.n. resolution would not be a resolution allowing any foreign military intervention that is something that they are vehemently against they share that stance with russia that this would be a u.n. resolution allowing observers on the ground in the country and allowing observers to to see what's going on at the embattled cities that are still under siege in syria now they also said that they would continue to keep on calling for the resignation the stepping down of president bashar al assad and they called on the international community to help with us. we have said that we want to give a political solution to the crisis a chance and this is also the demand of the syrian people therefore we are calling on those countries that want a peaceful outcome to put pressure on the president to step down we do want to prevent any military involvement in the syrian crisis and prevent a repetition of the libyan scenario we are in

regime thousands of people taking to the streets so the syrian society certainly is divided over this issue throughout the week there was a lot of of tensions mounting both within syria and internationally over this arab league pozole now the united kingdom has begun a formal talks with the syrian opposition critics here saying that the situation mirrors what we saw happening in libya at the same time france has said that it is too late for the syrian regime to reform itself it is too late for it to implement any kind of reforms that russia has said that it is never too late and it has called on both sides to lay down arms and says there is an urgent need for the situation to be neutralized with the keeping the point being made against the opposition many of whom defected from the syrian army many of them armed with russia saying that they too need to be held responsible and lay down arms so the russian point the situation is complicated it needs valance and of course the international community very much involved and keeping a close eye on what happens when this deadline expires. our

while the syrian opposition are in moscow today to try and get russia's support for a peaceful end to the ongoing violence in syria now they're hoping that russia can live up to their office of being a mediator in the syrian conflict that's ongoing now they will be hoping they've said the syrian opposition has said they want to see a new chapter opened in syria in russian relations and they're hoping to be part of that now for the russian side they'll be appealing to the opposition leaders to bring an end to the violence asking them to put the people of syria ahead of any. kind of campaign for regime change any kind of campaign to remove president assad from power to put the the people of syria as they're the ones that are suffering most at the. bitter end of this violence three thousand five hundred people are estimated to have been killed so far in the the eight months this is raged on and russia very much calling for a peaceful end to to the conflict which is one of the reasons they're meeting with the syrian opposition to day now previously they have had talks with the syrian oppo

people and on the syrian government we can see that the west led by the united states. given the orders to the leagues to suspend its membership and go with that escalation against syria that american has lost iraq after they've put three million of dollars they know of them out of the middle east as not go well into their way they want to do anything to change the regime in syria and that's why with the fear of the persian gulf are playing a very crucial crucial role they become a puppet of the united states as you say i say i'm still interrupt you you mentioned all about the american led west going for regime change in syria but with the arab league turning against him ask is this that signify a split in the arab world as well or has it become perhaps a bit more united. well obviously when we talk about the arab league we're talking about the virgin gulf country which actually maintain bases for the american they maintain the power of the american region as far as the other countries egypt does not really count because it's going and took from oil and algeria for some

syrian government is putting on signing the agreement so just. trying to overcome the situation in syria i don't think that. jordan is willing to put a buffer zone in the city i'm bored i don't not vote. but i think also that we will not be in a situation right now to do so unless if there was an international support and with that russian position of. saying that every all parties should sit on the negotiation table and start negotiating to forty the solution of the situation on the deadlock now in syria i don't think that also will be. making a buffer zone in the north of syria having said that if such an act had ok and i think the situation will deteriorate fast and all the area would be under you know. all the ground war not only in syria i think you know everywhere in the middle east and we have word now of this this army that is being opposed or that is opposing the regime now is made up of deservers and people who have broken away from the syrian army do you think that that armed opposition as it apparently is is being overlooked by the in

of the syrian daily. oil revenue is now almost nonexistent. syria is cut off from most of the international financial system. as cash starts to dry up, more syrians see that the regime is not sustainable. complementing our international efforts, ambassador ford as you mentioned, both of you mentioned that his team is doing courageous work. thank you for recommending him. he is currently on leave, but will return to post soon. we do not want to see the situation to send further into violence. the best way forward is to continue support for the non- right opposition, while working with international partners to further isolate -- non-violent opposition, while working with international partners to further isolate the regime. you mention the syrian national council. we welcome the establishment of the syria national council, a broad coalition of groups within and without syria. what the opposition has already achieved is truly a remarkable. the u.s. has not endorsed any particular opposition group. the syria

a particular worry for the syrian government. they want to stop the tide of people flooding away from the army. in total, they have had 19 dead yesterday. making the total around 40 over the weekend. one national council person said that there were a total of 111 killed over the past week, which would mark a significant escalation of the killing from the syrian government. >> does this go back to the syrian national council excepting the protection? interesting, using the language of being underpinned in libya. >> realistically, no one expects intervention now or in the future. they are focusing on not just protecting civilians in general, but saying that the humanitarian situation in a number of these neighborhoods is now acute because they are besieged by such heavy forces. people cannot go out in such a sustained bombardment. many of the residents have said the same thing. that they have had no electricity or water in their apartments are either. no power, no heat for what it's cold, shortages of food. they hope to focus inter

against the syrian armed forces. while western economies are struggling in the east that's been seeing rapid financial growth china's presence in europe can now be felt more than ever as beijing has been making strategic investments although it's still cautious about buying the continent's debt r.t. sorry for a report on china's growing influence in the e.u. . the fashion capital of the world where you can be sure to sponsor an emerging trend but right now it's the economy here that's being guessing i'm a cave with the west seeking east an inspiration concept is silly and you're going to want to see the forget the italian business model with its focus on slow fine and expensive production business here is saying this competition from its chinese counterparts with their emphasis on fast cheap goods. some of the high streets here in the chinese influence isn't hard to spot with here at six one of the struggling countries like china and a better time to snap up a bargain such is the acquisition this year of the well kno

destroying syria and the syrian regime and the syrian state itself and of course the syrian situation is different from the libya in that at least you have here the support the full support of russia and china which is very commendable and that is an important factor in making the situation look a bit different or not a bit much different in syria and that's why we had hopes that the syrian regime would be able to actually to combat or at least to stand before this storm but i think that the syrian regime should accelerate. process. procedures otherwise it would be in a weak position and no troubles or because it is only one russia has been calling for so it's very interesting very very interesting to hear your point of view dr. thank you for joining us live there from thank you. the u.n. security council is reviewing palestine's bid for u.n. membership in new york the motion was filed in september too much euphoria in the west bank in the deciding vote may come as soon as next week. ways are palestine's chances. palestinians have resigned themselves to the fact that it's unlikely the