Disappointment for Saudi over Syria

It has been a disappointing week for Saudi Arabia, as Arab and western allies pulled back from intervening in Syria. Despite a strong appeal from foreign minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal for the Arab League to back military intervention, Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on 1 September failed to go beyond a call for the United Nations (UN) and international community to “assume their responsibilities” under the UN charter and international law. Riyadh – which has recognised the lack of Arab capacity to deal with Syria – has given the strongest statement of support for a western military strike: before the League meeting, Prince Saud told reporters the international community should use “all its powers” to stop aggression against Syrians.