the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon says leaders of Arab countries that faced uprisings should make concessions to their people who demand freedom.| Golly. Now that's a strong statement of principle, the kind of leadership so often lacking in previous senior executives of the United Nations. |
| ...He speaks after those leaders have done their thing. Is Secretary General Ban trying to be a stereotype, or does it come naturally? |
The UN chief said that his special envoy to Libya, Abdul Illah al-Khatib, has been "working very hard" but he has not succeeded in convincing Libyan leader Muammar Qadaffy
... a proud Arab institution for 42 years ...
to compromise.
Ban said he was very concerned about Misratah, under siege from Qadaffy forces for more than two months where hundreds have been killed.
"The situation is getting very bad," he said.
Leaders confronted by the Arab spring uprisings must make concessions to have any hope of "winning the hearts and minds of people," he said.
"If you look at all the situations happening across the Arab world and North Africa, there is one common desire: that is genuine freedom.
"People have been oppressed under authoritarian rule for the past three or four decades. Now they believe that it is high time for rights to be respected and their aspirations to be heard," Ban said.
Arab leaders must listen more closely to the "aspirations and challenges" of their own people, he said, adding that "they can resolve this, they can give greater freedom and liberty to these people."