Hezbollah Backs Assad

Since President Bashar al-Assad's televised address last week, not much has actually changed in Syria. Every day on the streets protestors are being killed by government security forces. Every day the civil war grows and more troops defect to join the rebels. And another member of Syria's government has defected as well, stating that many more would do so, but are afraid to do so.

President Assad has once again offered amnesty to those who have protested against him, this marks the fourth time he has done so. Protestors have until January 31st to turn themselves in, for a full pardon. The Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah has suggested that the amnesty be accepted to avoid further bloodshed. The opposition however points out that each time anyone has accepted the offer, they have disappeared without due process. Over the duration of the protests, an estimated sixty-nine thousand have been detained. Less than half of which have been released.

Sunday, United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon demanded that Assad's government cease killing Syrian people. But as China and Russia have both blocked any attempt by the UN Security Council to even impose sanctions, it is extremely unclear what exactly Ki-moon plans to do about it if the violence continues. Qatar's leader, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, did state that troops should be sent in to enforce peace. However, Arab League leaders said that no plan was in place. Egypt, the country most able to send troops, stated they are too busy dealing with their own internal turmoil and national defense.