Saudis condemn Syrian violence after bloody first week of Ramadan
(Read article summary)Saudi Arabia and several Arab blocs broke their long silence on the uprisings sweeping the Middle East, condemning Syria's brutal crackdown that has killed more than 300 in the past week alone.
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Arab countries, after months of silence on Syria's uprising, have come out against the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on protesters. Though regional autocrats and monarchies were initially hesitant to support a movement looking to overthrow an authoritarian leader, a sharp increase in violence – coming during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – precipitated a round of unusually harsh criticism.
Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Syria on Sunday night, capping a weekend of mounting regional condemnation of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Kuwait followed suit on Monday. The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council, a regional economic bloc, also criticized the Assad regime during the weekend.
The past week has been the bloodiest yet in Syria's uprising, which began in March. More than 300 died in the past week alone, according to the Associated Press.
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