Fares, who has close ties to Syrian security, was the first senior diplomat to quit the embattled government. He did not spell out his reasons for defecting, but repeatedly said government forces have been killing civilians.
There has been no comment from Damascus or Baghdad and the White House said it was unable to confirm the defection, hailed by Assad’s opponents as a sign of crumbling support.
Assad’s chief backer on the UN Security Council, Russia, remained firmly in the Syrian leader’s camp. And the 15-member council made little headway after international mediator Kofi Annan asked it to agree on “clear consequences” if the government or opposition fail to comply with his faltering plan for a political solution to the crisis.
Fares’ decision to jump ship follows the high-profile flight from Syria last week of Brig. Gen. Manaf Tlas. Opposition sources said earlier that Fares was leaving Iraq but it was not clear where he would go.
The deeply divided Security Council must decide the future of a UN observer mission in Syria, known as UNSMIS, before July 20 when its 90-day mandate expires. It initially approved 300 unarmed military observers to monitor an April 12 cease-fire, which failed to take hold, as part of Annan’s peace plan.
Russia and China, both veto-wielding permanent council members, have for months blocked moves by western and Arab countries aimed at increasing the pressure on Assad, leaving the council deadlocked.
Britain on Wednesday circulated a draft resolution to extend the monitors’ mandate for 45 days and make compliance with Annan’s transition plans for the country enforceable under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which allows the council to authorize actions ranging from diplomatic and economic sanctions to military intervention. The draft resolution in particular threatens the Syrian government with sanctions if it does not stop using heavy weapons and withdraw its troops from towns and cities within 10 days of the adoption of the resolution.
The British text, drafted in consultation with the United States, France and Germany, counters a draft resolution circulated by Russia on Tuesday, which would extend UNSMIS for three months but makes no threat of sanctions.
Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Alexander Pankin told reporters after Annan’s briefing that Moscow believed sanctions were a “last resort.”
Annan said on Wednesday both Iran and Iraq supported a plan for a Syrian-led political transition in Damascus — buttressing his argument that Tehran should be involved in efforts to find a peaceful solution to the crisis despite the West’s firm rejection of any Iranian role.
Opposition leaders say there can be no peaceful transition unless Assad, who crushed popular protests from the moment they began, relinquishes power first. Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for 42 years, says he still has the backing of his people.
In Moscow, Syrian opposition talks with Russia ended in discord on Wednesday, and an opposition leader accused Moscow of pursuing policies that were helping to prolong the bloodshed in the country..
But one member of Syria’s opposition said a broader shift may be starting in Moscow, which has stepped up its diplomacy in recent weeks amid hints it may be moderating its support for Assad as turmoil engulfs its long-time ally.
Darul Ihsan Media Desk