Luxembourg FM warns of outbreak of civil war in Syria

LUXEMBOURG, June 20 (KUNA) -- Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Assleborn Monday described the situation in Syria as "extremely tense " and warned of the danger of civil war in the country.
"We are not far from a civil war," he told journalist as he arrived for a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg and called on President Bashar Al-Asad to do everything possible to avoid a civil war.
Asselborn said the EU will encourage its friends in the Arab League to take a stronger position on Syria.
On Libya, the Luxembourg minister said he wishes that Gaddafi and his regime would depart to avoid more bloodshed.
On her part, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said the EU Foreign Affairs Council is to discuss a number of topics including the situation in Sudan, noting that on 7 July South Sudan will declare its independence.
On Syria, Ashton said it will be interesting what President Asad says in his speech later today.
"That speech will be watched by all of us with great interest," she said.
"We have made it clear all along that violence is totally unacceptable" stressed Ashton, and called on the Syrian regime to stop the violence.
The EU foreign policy chief who returned Sunday night from a trip to the Middle East said she will brief the Council on the outcome of her visit to Jordan, Egypt Israel and the Palestinian territories. (end) nk.mt KUNA 201110 Jun 11NNNN