Africa Confidential begins 2012 with a special 16-page edition forecasting the most significant developments in the coming year in a dozen of Africa’s most important – or most volatile – nations. Our correspondents have searched out the key elements driving political and economic change in the coming twelve months. From some surprisingly negative consequences of the new Kenyan constitution, to an unexpectedly strong bounceback for the Ivorian economy, the way forward is by no means obvious. Nor is the political ‘Spring’ exclusively ‘Arab’; its effects are still spreading southward and proselytising the democratic message.
Early this year, a vigorous election in Senegal may well topple the Wade dynasty, while in Mali a three-cornered fight for the succession to Ahmed Toumani Touré should crown a series of peaceful transitions. Sierra Leone and Ghana go to the polls later in 2012 in what promise to be fair fights, but the coming Angolan poll presages no more than a rubber stamp of the MPLA’s ascendancy. Claims of fraud in the re-election of President Joseph Kabila in Congo-Kinshasa in December will keep pro-democracy activists busy.
Gambia and Congo-Brazzaville will hold questionable elections largely ignored by the African Union, Commonwealth and La Francophonie. In Kenya and Zimbabwe, the polls will involve hard struggles over crucial issues. Whether fixed, flawed, or honest across the board, voter choice is starting to embed itself as the main agent of change.
9.1.12
Uma África em efervescência
Stronger economies, better education and technology are driving more political change and unrest.
Expect turbulence. As well as sound advice from pilots to passengers on aircraft taking off from Kisangani to Kinshasa in Congo-Kinshasa, such warnings look apposite for the year ahead in Africa. There are no signs that the pace of political and economic change on the continent will slacken. The reverse looks true with more than 30 presidential and parliamentary elections over the next 12 months, and rising social unrest of four of the biggest economies: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya.
There are few direct causal links between the revolutions that have transformed North Africa in the past year, but there are plenty of important indirect effects. The biggest of these is the demonstration effect: the overthrow of leaders such as Hosni Mubarak, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and Moammar el Gadaffi has reinforced the determination of Africans to oust autocratic and incompetent regimes.That means more youthful activism: 70% of Africans are under 30 years of age and are far less tolerant of rampant inequality and state abuse of power than their parents were. They are quicker to join up events and mobilise: Egyptians and Libyans were inspired by the courage of the Tunisian revolutionaries. Tahrir Square has come to signify dissent across Africa. Even the United States-launched ‘Occupy’ movement has prompted solidarity demonstrations in Lagos and Johannesburg.
Africa Confidential
Expect turbulence. As well as sound advice from pilots to passengers on aircraft taking off from Kisangani to Kinshasa in Congo-Kinshasa, such warnings look apposite for the year ahead in Africa. There are no signs that the pace of political and economic change on the continent will slacken. The reverse looks true with more than 30 presidential and parliamentary elections over the next 12 months, and rising social unrest of four of the biggest economies: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa and Kenya.
There are few direct causal links between the revolutions that have transformed North Africa in the past year, but there are plenty of important indirect effects. The biggest of these is the demonstration effect: the overthrow of leaders such as Hosni Mubarak, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and Moammar el Gadaffi has reinforced the determination of Africans to oust autocratic and incompetent regimes.That means more youthful activism: 70% of Africans are under 30 years of age and are far less tolerant of rampant inequality and state abuse of power than their parents were. They are quicker to join up events and mobilise: Egyptians and Libyans were inspired by the courage of the Tunisian revolutionaries. Tahrir Square has come to signify dissent across Africa. Even the United States-launched ‘Occupy’ movement has prompted solidarity demonstrations in Lagos and Johannesburg.
Africa Confidential
7.1.12
O cardeal que nos chega de Prazins, no Minho
Manuel Monteiro de Castro (29 March 1938) is the current major penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary since his appointment by Benedict XVI on 5 January 2012.[1] He had previously served as secretary of the Congregation for Bishops.
He was a priest in the Archdiocese of Braga. In 1985 he was appointed archbishop and pro-nuncio to the countries in the West Indies that have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, and apostolic delegate for the other territories, such as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Netherlands Antilles. And at the same time was appointed archbishop. He was consecrated by Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli. Two years later, when Antigua and Barbuda had established diplomatic relations with the Holy See, he became pro-nuncio there too instead of apostolic delegate. In 1998 he was transferred to South Africa, with responsibility also for some neighbouring countries. And in 2000 he became Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra. As such, he met with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to reduce the tension between the Spanish Government and the Church.
[edit] Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops
On 3 July 2009, Pope Benedict appointed him secretary of the Congregation for Bishops,[2] replacing Archbishop Francesco Monterisi who was the same day appointed as archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The Congregation that considers candidates for appointing bishops for Latin Rite non-missionary dioceses, except in cases that fall within the competence the Section for Public Affairs of the Secretariat of State (appointments that require some form of consultation with governments) or the Congregation for the Oriental Churches (in the Middle East and Greece).
Traditionally the Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops is also Secretary of the College of Cardinals, and Monteiro de Castro was formally appointed to this role on 21 October 2009.[3] He is also one of the consultors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.[1]
[edit] Major Penitentiary
On 5 January 2012 Archbishop Monteiro de Castro was appointed Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary replacing Cardinal Baldelli who had reached the retirement age of 75 in 2010. It is he job as major penitentiary to ensure the absolution of excommunications latæ sententiæ reserved to the Holy See, the dispensation of sacramental impediments reserved to the Holy See, and the issuance and governance of indulgences.
It was announced on 6 January 2012 that Archbishop Monteiro de Castro would be created a cardinal on 18 February by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monsignor Monteiro de Castro has been cited in the liberal press for his views on homosexual relationships. He told a conference of Spanish bishops that "there are other forms of cohabitation and it is good that they be recognised". He insisted that same-sex unions could not be regarded as marriages, but he implied that they were at least worthy of compassion.[4]
He was a priest in the Archdiocese of Braga. In 1985 he was appointed archbishop and pro-nuncio to the countries in the West Indies that have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, including The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, and apostolic delegate for the other territories, such as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Netherlands Antilles. And at the same time was appointed archbishop. He was consecrated by Cardinal Secretary of State Agostino Casaroli. Two years later, when Antigua and Barbuda had established diplomatic relations with the Holy See, he became pro-nuncio there too instead of apostolic delegate. In 1998 he was transferred to South Africa, with responsibility also for some neighbouring countries. And in 2000 he became Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra. As such, he met with José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to reduce the tension between the Spanish Government and the Church.
[edit] Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops
On 3 July 2009, Pope Benedict appointed him secretary of the Congregation for Bishops,[2] replacing Archbishop Francesco Monterisi who was the same day appointed as archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The Congregation that considers candidates for appointing bishops for Latin Rite non-missionary dioceses, except in cases that fall within the competence the Section for Public Affairs of the Secretariat of State (appointments that require some form of consultation with governments) or the Congregation for the Oriental Churches (in the Middle East and Greece).
Traditionally the Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops is also Secretary of the College of Cardinals, and Monteiro de Castro was formally appointed to this role on 21 October 2009.[3] He is also one of the consultors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.[1]
[edit] Major Penitentiary
On 5 January 2012 Archbishop Monteiro de Castro was appointed Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary replacing Cardinal Baldelli who had reached the retirement age of 75 in 2010. It is he job as major penitentiary to ensure the absolution of excommunications latæ sententiæ reserved to the Holy See, the dispensation of sacramental impediments reserved to the Holy See, and the issuance and governance of indulgences.
It was announced on 6 January 2012 that Archbishop Monteiro de Castro would be created a cardinal on 18 February by Pope Benedict XVI.
Monsignor Monteiro de Castro has been cited in the liberal press for his views on homosexual relationships. He told a conference of Spanish bishops that "there are other forms of cohabitation and it is good that they be recognised". He insisted that same-sex unions could not be regarded as marriages, but he implied that they were at least worthy of compassion.[4]
5.1.12
A situação na Líbia é caótica
Kader Abderrahim est professeur associé à l'université de Californie et maître de conférences à Sciences Po Paris.
Quelle analyse faites-vous des combats qui ont eu lieu lundi 2 janvier à Tripoli entre des groupes d'ex-rebelles ?
Ces affrontements posent une question de fond qui est celui du désarmement des milices auquel le Conseil national de la résistance (CNT) n'est pas parvenu. Ces milices qui se sont constituées pour combattre Kadhafi à Misrata, Syrte ou Tripoli, réclament aujourd'hui des contreparties politiques pour déposer les armes abondamment reçues pendant l'insurrection. Or le CNT, qui est actuellement dans une période intérimaire, entre la rédaction d'une Constitution et l'organisation des élections, ne dispose que d'une marge de manœuvre très réduite. La situation est chaotique et ce n'est pas une surprise. Il y a de vrais risques de dérapages et des menaces directes contre le CNT.
Quel rôle jouent les milices dans la Libye d'aujourd'hui ?
Celui de groupes majoritairement aux mains des islamistes qui défendent leurs intérêts locaux ou régionaux dans un pays en situation post guerre civile. Les armes puisées dans l'arsenal de l'ancien régime sont pour l'instant un bon argument pour garder de l'influence et peser sur les choix politiques. Le CNT n'a pas toute l'autorité ni les moyens militaires ni la volonté politique d'entrer en confrontation avec ces milices. Les dirigeants du CNT cherchent à faire progresser l'Etat sur les plus petits dénominateurs communs : la mise en place d'un ministère des infrastructures pour relancer l'économie, ou encore la création d'un ministère de l'hydraulique pour l'acheminement de l'eau. Des sujets sur lesquels tout le monde est d'accord. Pour le reste je ne suis pas optimiste à moyen terme. La déclaration du président du CNT, Moustapha Abdeljalil, qui assure mercredi craindre une guerre civile, est un aveu d'impuissance.
La nomination mardi d'un chef d'état-major de l'armée laisse-t-elle entrevoir une amélioration ?
Rappelons qu'il n'y avait pas de ministre de la défense depuis l'assassinat du général Abdel Fattah Younès en juillet. Un acte qui témoignait déjà des dissensions au sein du mouvement des rebelles. Le nouveau chef d'état-major Youssef Al-Mankouch n'est pas un personnage de premier plan et il prend la tête d'une armée embryonnaire qui a pour mission d'intégrer les milices en son sein, une mission très délicate qui ne se fera pas sans l'arbitrage des islamistes. Rappelons que l'influence des islamistes au sein du CNT, de l'armée mais aussi des milices est très important. Mohammed Belhaj, gouverneur militaire de Tripoli, fondateur du Groupe islamique combattant en Libye et autrefois proche d'Al-Qaida, dispose ainsi d'une influence considérable.
Exprimant leur inquiétude après les violences, les Etats-Unis ont proposé d'aider le pays à intégrer ces milices aux forces armées. Cette proposition a-t-elle une chance d'aboutir ?
Notons tout d'abord qu'il n'y a eu aucune réaction occidentale aux affrontements dont nous parlons hormis celle des Etats-Unis. Ce qui est plutôt étonnant pour des pays comme la France qui se sont autant impliqués dans la région. Quant à la proposition formulée par la porte-parole du département d'Etat, Victoria Nuland, on voit bien les intérêts énergétiques et stratégiques américains. Ne nous voilons pas la face, cette aide est déjà effective sur le terrain, elle l'a été pendant la guerre et continue aujourd'hui. Pour autant, il y a un pas entre cette collaboration officieuse et une coopération officielle. De mon point de vue, ce genre de coopération viendra plus sûrement de certains pays très conservateurs du Golfe, comme le Qatar par exemple, qui joue déjà un rôle de pondération des islamistes, que ce soit en Libye ou en Tunisie.
Propos recueillis par Simon Piel/Le Monde
Quelle analyse faites-vous des combats qui ont eu lieu lundi 2 janvier à Tripoli entre des groupes d'ex-rebelles ?
Ces affrontements posent une question de fond qui est celui du désarmement des milices auquel le Conseil national de la résistance (CNT) n'est pas parvenu. Ces milices qui se sont constituées pour combattre Kadhafi à Misrata, Syrte ou Tripoli, réclament aujourd'hui des contreparties politiques pour déposer les armes abondamment reçues pendant l'insurrection. Or le CNT, qui est actuellement dans une période intérimaire, entre la rédaction d'une Constitution et l'organisation des élections, ne dispose que d'une marge de manœuvre très réduite. La situation est chaotique et ce n'est pas une surprise. Il y a de vrais risques de dérapages et des menaces directes contre le CNT.
Quel rôle jouent les milices dans la Libye d'aujourd'hui ?
Celui de groupes majoritairement aux mains des islamistes qui défendent leurs intérêts locaux ou régionaux dans un pays en situation post guerre civile. Les armes puisées dans l'arsenal de l'ancien régime sont pour l'instant un bon argument pour garder de l'influence et peser sur les choix politiques. Le CNT n'a pas toute l'autorité ni les moyens militaires ni la volonté politique d'entrer en confrontation avec ces milices. Les dirigeants du CNT cherchent à faire progresser l'Etat sur les plus petits dénominateurs communs : la mise en place d'un ministère des infrastructures pour relancer l'économie, ou encore la création d'un ministère de l'hydraulique pour l'acheminement de l'eau. Des sujets sur lesquels tout le monde est d'accord. Pour le reste je ne suis pas optimiste à moyen terme. La déclaration du président du CNT, Moustapha Abdeljalil, qui assure mercredi craindre une guerre civile, est un aveu d'impuissance.
La nomination mardi d'un chef d'état-major de l'armée laisse-t-elle entrevoir une amélioration ?
Rappelons qu'il n'y avait pas de ministre de la défense depuis l'assassinat du général Abdel Fattah Younès en juillet. Un acte qui témoignait déjà des dissensions au sein du mouvement des rebelles. Le nouveau chef d'état-major Youssef Al-Mankouch n'est pas un personnage de premier plan et il prend la tête d'une armée embryonnaire qui a pour mission d'intégrer les milices en son sein, une mission très délicate qui ne se fera pas sans l'arbitrage des islamistes. Rappelons que l'influence des islamistes au sein du CNT, de l'armée mais aussi des milices est très important. Mohammed Belhaj, gouverneur militaire de Tripoli, fondateur du Groupe islamique combattant en Libye et autrefois proche d'Al-Qaida, dispose ainsi d'une influence considérable.
Exprimant leur inquiétude après les violences, les Etats-Unis ont proposé d'aider le pays à intégrer ces milices aux forces armées. Cette proposition a-t-elle une chance d'aboutir ?
Notons tout d'abord qu'il n'y a eu aucune réaction occidentale aux affrontements dont nous parlons hormis celle des Etats-Unis. Ce qui est plutôt étonnant pour des pays comme la France qui se sont autant impliqués dans la région. Quant à la proposition formulée par la porte-parole du département d'Etat, Victoria Nuland, on voit bien les intérêts énergétiques et stratégiques américains. Ne nous voilons pas la face, cette aide est déjà effective sur le terrain, elle l'a été pendant la guerre et continue aujourd'hui. Pour autant, il y a un pas entre cette collaboration officieuse et une coopération officielle. De mon point de vue, ce genre de coopération viendra plus sûrement de certains pays très conservateurs du Golfe, comme le Qatar par exemple, qui joue déjà un rôle de pondération des islamistes, que ce soit en Libye ou en Tunisie.
Propos recueillis par Simon Piel/Le Monde
4.1.12
Air Zimbabwe já não tem aviões que funcionem
By Tererai Karimakwenda/SW Radio Africa
04 January, 2012
Zimbabwe’s national airline is in the headlines again this week after the only plane still operational was grounded, due to technical faults. This continues a very troubled season for the management who are facing strong criticism for the financial failings at Air Zim.
Flights from Harare to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls were reportedly cancelled on Monday when the Boeing 737 aircraft developed a “glitch” in one of the engines, leaving passengers stranded.
Air Zim’s acting chief executive officer, Innocent Mavhunga, and board chairperson Jonathan Kadzura, have so far made no comment regarding the airline’s future. It is believed debts of at least $140 million are outstanding.
According to Newsday newspaper, the broken down plane could not be fixed because workers are currently on strike over unpaid salaries. A source reportedly said that most workers had not been paid for nearly six months.
Political and economic analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga told SW Radio Africa that blame for the airline’s demise “should be placed squarely on Robert Mugabe and the board of directors”. He referred to Mugabe’s constant use of the airline for personal trips and mismanagement by the board as the major reasons.
“We’ve reached a point where there should be either civil action or criminal liability against the management for their part in terms of how we got to this position,” Mhlanga explained. He added that the board never had a plan of action and should have forced privatization of the airline years ago.
A crisis developed a week before the holidays last month when creditors seized a plane at Gatwick Airport in London because Air Zim had failed to pay $1.5 million owed to an American spare parts company. Hundreds were stranded for over a week at the airport.
Earlier in the week Transport Minister Nicholas Goche ordered all its regional and international flights to be suspended, fearing seizure of the remaining aircraft by creditors.
.
04 January, 2012
Zimbabwe’s national airline is in the headlines again this week after the only plane still operational was grounded, due to technical faults. This continues a very troubled season for the management who are facing strong criticism for the financial failings at Air Zim.
Flights from Harare to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls were reportedly cancelled on Monday when the Boeing 737 aircraft developed a “glitch” in one of the engines, leaving passengers stranded.
Air Zim’s acting chief executive officer, Innocent Mavhunga, and board chairperson Jonathan Kadzura, have so far made no comment regarding the airline’s future. It is believed debts of at least $140 million are outstanding.
According to Newsday newspaper, the broken down plane could not be fixed because workers are currently on strike over unpaid salaries. A source reportedly said that most workers had not been paid for nearly six months.
Political and economic analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga told SW Radio Africa that blame for the airline’s demise “should be placed squarely on Robert Mugabe and the board of directors”. He referred to Mugabe’s constant use of the airline for personal trips and mismanagement by the board as the major reasons.
“We’ve reached a point where there should be either civil action or criminal liability against the management for their part in terms of how we got to this position,” Mhlanga explained. He added that the board never had a plan of action and should have forced privatization of the airline years ago.
A crisis developed a week before the holidays last month when creditors seized a plane at Gatwick Airport in London because Air Zim had failed to pay $1.5 million owed to an American spare parts company. Hundreds were stranded for over a week at the airport.
Earlier in the week Transport Minister Nicholas Goche ordered all its regional and international flights to be suspended, fearing seizure of the remaining aircraft by creditors.
.
Pelo afastamento de Robert Mugabe
By Tichaona Sibanda/SW Radio Africa
4 January 2012
MDC-99 President Job Sikhala continued his tough talk against Robert Mugabe on Wednesday, saying the time has come to form a united front against the ‘vindictive’ dictator.
Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Hidden Story program, Sikhala said those opposing Mugabe need to join forces to achieve their goal of removing him from power. The ageing dictator who has led Zimbabwe with an iron fist since Independence in 1980 turns 88 next month.
Sikhala was arrested by police on New Year’s Day and kept in cells until Wednesday, facing charges of contravening the Immigration Act. He was freed without going to court after the Attorney-General’s office refused to prosecute him, citing lack of evidence.
Sikhala was told the state can proceed by way of summons if they find any evidence linking him to allegations that he facilitated an unlawful entry into Zimbabwe, of a white lady who is an advisor to the MDC-99.
‘This lady is Zimbabwean but holds a South African passport. Her family was chased away by Robert Mugabe and her crime is talking and giving advice to MDC-99.
‘How they let her into Zimbabwe is not my business because I’m not an immigration officer and I cannot be held accountable to how she crossed Beitbridge (border post) or came through Harare airport,’ Sikhala said.
The former University of Zimbabwe student leader said he was shocked and left extremely bitter at the way the state security apparatus arrested and threw him into a police cell on New Year’s Day. In the last month he has been arrested three times and on all occasions has been released for lack of evidence.
‘It was out of the blue, unexpected and ridiculous to be picked up for such a silly charge and kept in filthy cells for four days. It was during this period that I took time to reflect on the political situation in the country.
‘To be honest and frank with you, I’m sick and tired of this harassment from Mugabe’s regime. While in cells, I was thinking aloud and said to myself, how best do we deal with this evil dictator so that the people of Zimbabwe will be able to enjoy their freedom,’ said Sikhala.
He continued: ‘This is when I told myself that once I leave these cells I will make a national and international call to my brothers and sisters in the MDC formations that time has come to bury our narrow and small differences.
‘Once we do this, then we can build a formidable united front and confront this dictator called Robert Mugabe. All the other differences we have will then be resolved, once we’ve seen the back of Mugabe.’
Sikhala explained that the fall of Mugabe and his ZANU PF party would be hastened if all forces opposing the tyrannical system co-operate with one another, on the basis of national interest.
‘Despite the growing anti-Mugabe and ZANU PF sentiment, the absence of a strong united front is the reason we have not been able to topple him.
‘There is however a widely shared view that there is a need to develop a common, united platform from all sections of the pro-democracy movement to fight him in the next poll,’ Sikhala said.
4 January 2012
MDC-99 President Job Sikhala continued his tough talk against Robert Mugabe on Wednesday, saying the time has come to form a united front against the ‘vindictive’ dictator.
Speaking on SW Radio Africa’s Hidden Story program, Sikhala said those opposing Mugabe need to join forces to achieve their goal of removing him from power. The ageing dictator who has led Zimbabwe with an iron fist since Independence in 1980 turns 88 next month.
Sikhala was arrested by police on New Year’s Day and kept in cells until Wednesday, facing charges of contravening the Immigration Act. He was freed without going to court after the Attorney-General’s office refused to prosecute him, citing lack of evidence.
Sikhala was told the state can proceed by way of summons if they find any evidence linking him to allegations that he facilitated an unlawful entry into Zimbabwe, of a white lady who is an advisor to the MDC-99.
‘This lady is Zimbabwean but holds a South African passport. Her family was chased away by Robert Mugabe and her crime is talking and giving advice to MDC-99.
‘How they let her into Zimbabwe is not my business because I’m not an immigration officer and I cannot be held accountable to how she crossed Beitbridge (border post) or came through Harare airport,’ Sikhala said.
The former University of Zimbabwe student leader said he was shocked and left extremely bitter at the way the state security apparatus arrested and threw him into a police cell on New Year’s Day. In the last month he has been arrested three times and on all occasions has been released for lack of evidence.
‘It was out of the blue, unexpected and ridiculous to be picked up for such a silly charge and kept in filthy cells for four days. It was during this period that I took time to reflect on the political situation in the country.
‘To be honest and frank with you, I’m sick and tired of this harassment from Mugabe’s regime. While in cells, I was thinking aloud and said to myself, how best do we deal with this evil dictator so that the people of Zimbabwe will be able to enjoy their freedom,’ said Sikhala.
He continued: ‘This is when I told myself that once I leave these cells I will make a national and international call to my brothers and sisters in the MDC formations that time has come to bury our narrow and small differences.
‘Once we do this, then we can build a formidable united front and confront this dictator called Robert Mugabe. All the other differences we have will then be resolved, once we’ve seen the back of Mugabe.’
Sikhala explained that the fall of Mugabe and his ZANU PF party would be hastened if all forces opposing the tyrannical system co-operate with one another, on the basis of national interest.
‘Despite the growing anti-Mugabe and ZANU PF sentiment, the absence of a strong united front is the reason we have not been able to topple him.
‘There is however a widely shared view that there is a need to develop a common, united platform from all sections of the pro-democracy movement to fight him in the next poll,’ Sikhala said.
Milhares de mortos na Síria
Damascus has accused Washington of interfering in the work of the Arab League after a US official travelled to Cairo for talks with the bloc about the protest crackdown in Syria.
"The United States is one of the parties which is seeking to rekindle violence by its mobilisation and incitement [to violence]," Jihad Makdisi, foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesaday.
"The US... statements are a gross interference in the work of the Arab League, and an unjustified attempt to internationalise" the issue of Syria, he said.
The US State Department said on Tuesday that Jeffrey Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs, was to travel to Cairo for consultations with the Arab League about Syria.
"We have made clear that if the Arab League initiative is not implemented, the international community will have to consider new measures to compel a halt to the regime's violence against its own citizens,'' spokesman Jay Carney said on Tuesday.
There are about 100 Arab League monitors in Syria, dispatched to verify the government's compliance with a plan to stop its crackdown on dissent. However, activists and the regional body itself has said security forces are still killing anti-government protesters despite the observers' presence.
The UN said in December that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the continuing crackdown. Since that report, opposition activists say hundreds more have been killed. Syrian authorities say armed groups have killed about 2,000 security forces personnel.
Opposition forces
Colonel Riad al-Asaad, the head of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), has threatened to step up attacks on government forces, saying he was frustrated with Arab League monitors' lack of progress in ending a government crackdown on protests.
Al-Asaad said he is waiting for the regional bloc's report on its first week before deciding whether to make a "transformative shift" that he said would mark a major escalation against the security forces.
"If we feel they are still not serious in a few days, or at most within a week, we will take a decision which will surprise the regime and the whole world," he told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday by telephone from his safe haven in southern Turkey.
"Since they [the monitors] entered, we had many more martyrs."
Al-Asaad defected from the Syrian air force in July. The strength of his forces is unknown, but according to media estimates, the umbrella organisation has more than 10,000 men in its ranks.
League claims 'noticeable progress'
The Arab League said it would hold a meeting to look into the first report by the head of the monitoring mission. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the meeting has been postponed to Sunday due to the Orthodox Christmas.
Adnan al-Khudeir, the Arab League official who heads the operations room that the monitors report to, said the meeting would be chaired by Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister.
"There is noticeable progress," al-Khudeir said, referring to the reports he received so far. "It is hard to make a judgement on the mission of the monitors because they are still in the beginning ... We can't tell if they failed or succeeded right now."
Nabil Elaraby, the Arab League secretary-general, said on Monday that killings were continuing in Syria, but that the military had withdrawn tanks and artillery from residential areas and was on the outskirts of the cities.
"Yes, killings continue," he said. "The objective is for us to wake up in the morning and hear that no one is killed. The mission's philosophy is to protect civilians, so if one is killed, then our mission is incomplete.''
Activists have rejected claims that the military has withdrawn from the cities, posting videos online of soldiers close to a group of Arab League observers on Tuesday in the flashpoint city of Homs.
Mission criticised
The Arab League mission has come under harsh criticism by opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's government who say some observers lack experience.
Its chief, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, raised opposition concerns because he served in critical security positions under Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president who is wanted on an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in Darfur.
The Local Co-ordination Committees, an umbrella group of activists, says the observer mission is witnessing mainly government-staged events, and they move about the country only with the full knowledge of the government.
However, video clips posted by activists appear to show observers moving around in protesting crowds, on some occasions within hearing distance of gunfire.
Men wearing what appears to be the orange vest worn by Arab League observers have also been seen viewing the corpse of a child and talking to relatives of people allegedly killed by security forces.
Al Jazeera and agencies
"The United States is one of the parties which is seeking to rekindle violence by its mobilisation and incitement [to violence]," Jihad Makdisi, foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesaday.
"The US... statements are a gross interference in the work of the Arab League, and an unjustified attempt to internationalise" the issue of Syria, he said.
The US State Department said on Tuesday that Jeffrey Feltman, the assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs, was to travel to Cairo for consultations with the Arab League about Syria.
"We have made clear that if the Arab League initiative is not implemented, the international community will have to consider new measures to compel a halt to the regime's violence against its own citizens,'' spokesman Jay Carney said on Tuesday.
There are about 100 Arab League monitors in Syria, dispatched to verify the government's compliance with a plan to stop its crackdown on dissent. However, activists and the regional body itself has said security forces are still killing anti-government protesters despite the observers' presence.
The UN said in December that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the continuing crackdown. Since that report, opposition activists say hundreds more have been killed. Syrian authorities say armed groups have killed about 2,000 security forces personnel.
Opposition forces
Colonel Riad al-Asaad, the head of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), has threatened to step up attacks on government forces, saying he was frustrated with Arab League monitors' lack of progress in ending a government crackdown on protests.
Al-Asaad said he is waiting for the regional bloc's report on its first week before deciding whether to make a "transformative shift" that he said would mark a major escalation against the security forces.
"If we feel they are still not serious in a few days, or at most within a week, we will take a decision which will surprise the regime and the whole world," he told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday by telephone from his safe haven in southern Turkey.
"Since they [the monitors] entered, we had many more martyrs."
Al-Asaad defected from the Syrian air force in July. The strength of his forces is unknown, but according to media estimates, the umbrella organisation has more than 10,000 men in its ranks.
League claims 'noticeable progress'
The Arab League said it would hold a meeting to look into the first report by the head of the monitoring mission. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the meeting has been postponed to Sunday due to the Orthodox Christmas.
Adnan al-Khudeir, the Arab League official who heads the operations room that the monitors report to, said the meeting would be chaired by Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, the Qatari prime minister.
"There is noticeable progress," al-Khudeir said, referring to the reports he received so far. "It is hard to make a judgement on the mission of the monitors because they are still in the beginning ... We can't tell if they failed or succeeded right now."
Nabil Elaraby, the Arab League secretary-general, said on Monday that killings were continuing in Syria, but that the military had withdrawn tanks and artillery from residential areas and was on the outskirts of the cities.
"Yes, killings continue," he said. "The objective is for us to wake up in the morning and hear that no one is killed. The mission's philosophy is to protect civilians, so if one is killed, then our mission is incomplete.''
Activists have rejected claims that the military has withdrawn from the cities, posting videos online of soldiers close to a group of Arab League observers on Tuesday in the flashpoint city of Homs.
Mission criticised
The Arab League mission has come under harsh criticism by opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's government who say some observers lack experience.
Its chief, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Ahmed Mustafa al-Dabi, raised opposition concerns because he served in critical security positions under Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president who is wanted on an international arrest warrant for crimes against humanity in Darfur.
The Local Co-ordination Committees, an umbrella group of activists, says the observer mission is witnessing mainly government-staged events, and they move about the country only with the full knowledge of the government.
However, video clips posted by activists appear to show observers moving around in protesting crowds, on some occasions within hearing distance of gunfire.
Men wearing what appears to be the orange vest worn by Arab League observers have also been seen viewing the corpse of a child and talking to relatives of people allegedly killed by security forces.
Al Jazeera and agencies
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