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\f0\fs24 \cf0 \cb2 (Image Source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.aljazeera.com/"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul Al Jazeera}})\ \pard\pardeftab720\sl320
\cf0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 BY JOHN O\'92CONNOR
\b0 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 \ \pard\pardeftab720\sl320
\b \cf0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 ANCHOR LOGAN TITTLE
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
The Syrian ambassador to Iraq has defected to the opposition \'97 becoming the first
diplomat to do so. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.aljazeera.com/"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul Al Jazeera has more}}.\
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \'93Nawaf Fares is the highest ranking political
official to desert Bashar al-Assad\'92s government since the uprising in Syria started.\'94
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
Confirmation of Fares\'92s departure marks the second high-profile defection from the
regime in less than a week \'97 Brigadier General Manaf Tlas defected just last Friday.
{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syrias-ambassador-to-iraq-defects-and-urges-syrians-to-revolt-7938428.html"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul The Independent reports}} Tlas has made no public comment since fleeing Syria, but
Fares made his stance very public.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232
\b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \'93... Fares posted a video statement on
Facebook yesterday that repeatedly said government forces [have] been killing civilians.\'94
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
In the video Fares encouraged other diplomats to defect as well. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://news.sky.com/"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \ul Sky News has the comments}}.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\'93I call on all party members to do the same, because the regime has transformed it
into a tool to oppress the Syrian people and their aspirations to freedom and dignity.\'94
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
Fares attributes the oppression as the reason behind his defection. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18806469"}}{\fldrslt \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\ul But a BBC correspondent explains}} another circumstance that influenced his decision.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\'93He is Sunni, from the majority, and of course the uprising is Sunni based against
another white-ruled minority regime.\'94 \b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0 Sunni-led opposition groups in Syria have
called Fares\'92s defections the beginning of the end of the regime. But political analysts
are cautious to make any early predictions. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/world/middleeast/syrias-ambassador-to-iraq-nawaf-fares-reported-to-defect.html"}}{\fldrslt
\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \ul The New York Times reports}}.\kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\uc0\u8232 \u8232 \b \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10
\'93Alawites, who represent only about 12 percent of the population, remain intensely
loyal to Mr. Assad, and none of his close Alawite confidants have abandoned him. \'91There
are indications to me that the Sunni insulation is cracking,\'92 said a Syria expert... \'91But
these people are not from the core. It\'92s an important distinction.\'92\'94
\b0 \kerning1\expnd2\expndtw10 \uc0\u8232 \u8232 \kerning1\expnd0\expndtw0
According to the Financial Times and Reuters, opposition sources say two more Syrian ambassadors
are preparing to defect following Fares\'92s announcement.\
}