Iran Blasts Arab League’s “Dangerous Behavior”: Giving Opposition Syria’s Seat

The Syrian seat at the current meeting of the Arab League in Doha was filled by a member of the Syrian opposition coalition – the Assad regime having been ejected from the body in November 2011. The move was blasted by Tehran, which called it “dangerous behavior” on the part of the League. Charging that the move sets a precedent that can be used against other Arab League members in the future, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian told the ISNA news agency that, “These actions will bring an end to the organization’s role in the region.” From his seat at the table, opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib made a formal request for the United States to allow the Patriot missile batteries installed along the Turkish-Syrian border to be used to defend areas in northern Syria under control of rebel forces. NATO wasted no time in rejecting the idea. The Arab League also endorsed giving military aid to the rebels. At the meeting, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman distanced his country from the decisions pertaining to Syria citing the fear that it will be drawn into the political struggle.