NEW YORK - The 193-nation UN General Assembly ratcheted up the pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday by overwhelmingly approving a resolution that endorses an Arab League plan calling for him to step aside.

A weapons dealer checks AK-47 rifles before selling it to smugglers transferring it to Syria, at his house near the city of Mosul, 390km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, February 16, 2012. The weapons dealers sell a rifle for about $1000. REUTERS/Stringer

The resolution, similar to one Russia and China vetoed in the Security Council on February 4, received 137 votes in favor, 12 against and 17 abstentions, though three countries said their votes failed to register on the electronic board.

Russia and China were among those opposing the resolution, which was drafted by Saudi Arabia and submitted by Egypt on behalf of Arab states. Unlike in the Security Council, there are no vetoes in the General Assembly, but its decisions lack the legal force of council resolutions.

“Today the UN General Assembly sent a clear message to the people of Syria – the world is with you,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said in a statement.

“An overwhelming majority of UN member states have backed the plan put forward by the Arab League to end the suffering of Syrians,” she said. “Bashar al-Assad has never been more isolated.”

The resolution said the assembly “fully supports” the Arab League plan aimed at halting Syria’s 11-month crackdown on anti-Assad demonstrators and urges UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to appoint a special envoy to Syria.

It also condemns Damascus for “widespread and systematic violations of human rights” and calls for the withdrawal of Syrian forces from towns and cities. The United Nations says more than 5,400 civilians have been killed in the uprising.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the resolution “reflects the worrying trend … to attempt to isolate the Syrian leadership, to reject any contact with it and to impose an external formula for a political settlement.”

Earlier this week, Arab countries rejected proposed Russian amendments to the resolution that would have sought to blame Syria’s government and opposition equally for the violence.

Western diplomats said before the vote that a large majority in favor of the resolution would increase the pressure on Assad to comply with the Arab League plan, and would highlight the isolation of Russia and China on the issue.

Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Bolivia were among other countries that voted against the resolution and whose delegates voiced support for the Syrian government.

France and other Western powers have suggested that they would like to make a third attempt to persuade Russia not to block action on Syria in the Security Council. But UN diplomats say there are no signs Moscow is prepared to allow the 15-nation panel to pass any condemnation of Syria.

Before their February 4 double veto, Moscow and Beijing, which oppose what they see as foreign interference in Syria, also knocked down a European-drafted resolution in October that would have condemned Damascus and threatened it with sanctions.

British Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant said Thursday’s vote “sent a clear signal of the international community’s condemnation of the Syrian regime’s actions and intention to hold to account those responsible for the ongoing atrocities.”

Egypt’s deputy UN ambassador, Osama Abdul-Khaleq, said the resolution was a message to Damascus that it was “high time to listen to the voice of its people.”

The league has called for the establishment of a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping mission for Syria, but Western powers have reacted coolly to the idea and Thursday’s resolution did not endorse it.

In a bitter concluding statement, Ja’afari blasted what he called the Arab League’s “shameful position,” which he said was aimed at “the settling of political accounts with Syria.”

“Good luck to the Arab League in implementing the tasks entrusted to it by Israel,” he said. “Congratulations for this new alliance between the League of Arab States and Israel and the historical enemies of Syria.”

During the General Assembly meeting, the Arab League called on the United Nations for the immediate implementation of its plan on Syria.

There had been an “unacceptable escalation” of violence in Syria, said Egyptian Ambassador Maged Abdelaziz. He called on the Syrian government “to heed the demands of the Arab and Syrian people and stop the bloodshed.”

But Syrian Ambassador to the UN Bashar Jaafari said prior to the vote that discussions over Syria threaten the General Assembly’s credibility. He noted that Syria is being targeted, and there is no other reason for the vote.

According to Jaafari, his country welcomes all sincere efforts to support a comprehensive national dialogue – but some countries do not want to help Syria reach a peaceful solution. He added that there are doubts over the real intentions of the countries behind draft resolution, claiming such countries deny the existence of armed opposition groups. Jaafari stressed that Arab Spring countries are still suffering from violence, but that the media do not report it.

Jaafari also pointed out that the meeting was in breach of UN rules, and suggested an independent legal opinion. The suggestion, he said, was an idea supported by other countries on Monday.

The Syrian Ambassador said that the Arab League resolutions, being biased and having nothing to do with real situation on the ground, violate the sovereignty of Syria and are of dubious international legality.

A man displays a ballot card for a draft referendum on the new Syrian constitution, reading “yes or no”, in Damascus, February 15, 2012.

A new Syrian constitution that limits a president’s reign to two seven-year terms and removes an article enshrining the ruling Baath Party as the state’s head will be put to a referendum on February 26, Damascus announced Wednesday.

The constitution was drafted by a presidential appointed committee.

“The political system of the state will be based on a principle of political plurality and democracy will be practiced through the voting box,” the draft constitution reads as cited by Syria TV.

Syrian state television said on Wednesday that parliamentary elections will be held 90 days after the referendum as part of promised political reforms ostensibly aimed at placating protesters.

The new constitution will allow for a multi-party system, ending the Baath Party’s near 50-year monopoly on Syrian politics.

The proposed constitution, which will be put to a vote on February 26, does away with Article 8 of the old charter which declared the Baath Party, in power since 1963, as the “leader of the state and society.”

The draft constitution says any new parties cannot be based on a religion, profession, or regional interests.

This clause would prevent the establishment of Islamist parties such as the Muslim Brotherhood, a major opposition actor in the current crisis.

Committee Member Qadri Jamil declined to comment on the significance of new constitution.

Beirut-based historian and political analyst, Fawwaz Traboulsi, says the new constitution means little as it does not limit presidential powers, and gives Syrian President Bashar al-Assad the option to remain in power for another 16 years.

“Nothing has changed, this is a presidential semi-dictatorial system consecrated in the constitution; unlimited power to the president of the republic. In that sense, there is no real reform,” he said.

Traboulsi dismissed the significance of removing Article 8, as it was not the source of “unlimited executive dictatorial power.”

Without a significant increase in parliamentary power, the mechanics of a dictatorship would remain, he added.

“Nothing has seriously changed, meaning the key shift to a parliamentary regime, if the president is the one who still appoints the cabinet and can dismiss the cabinet individually and collectively,” Traboulsi said.

China has backed Russian calls for an “inclusive dialogue” to resolve the Syrian crisis, insisting that the government and opposition forces meet to end the spiraling bloodshed.

“We are following closely the situation in Syria and we hope that the violent activities can be put to an immediate stop,” said Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai Monday. Tiankai is accompanying Vice President Xi Jinping on a U.S. visit.

“We hope that Syria can initiate an inclusive dialogue to solve all the problems it faces.”

China, along with Russia, vetoed a Western-backed UN Security Council resolution roughly a fortnight ago that would have called for Assad to step down.

The two powers fear the West is seeking to exploit the Syrian crisis to undermine the Assad regime, a key Iranian ally in the region, and destroy Syria’s status as a regional power.

France, said to have strong links with Syria’s external opposition, is in talks with Russia on a new UN resolution on Syria and wanted Moscow’s backing for “humanitarian corridors” in the country.

“We are renegotiating a resolution at the UN Security Council to persuade the Russians,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told France Info radio.

At least 5,400 people have died in Syria since the uprising began according to UN figures, while the Syrian government says over 2,000 security personnel have died in the 11-month-old crisis.

The Syrian uprising has polarized world powers, with Western policies towards Syria facing stiff resistance from emerging BRICS powers – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Al-Qaeda’s branch in Iraq likely carried out recent suicide bombings in Syria and has infiltrated opposition forces fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the U.S. spy chief said Thursday.

Bombing attacks in Damascus and Aleppo since December “had all the earmarks of an Al-Qaeda-like attack,” James Clapper told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“And so we believe Al-Qaeda in Iraq is extending its reach into Syria,” he said.

His comments confirmed earlier reports that U.S. officials suspected Al-Qaeda’s hand in the bombings and follows a recent video message from Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in which he endorses the uprising against Assad’s rule.

Iraq’s deputy interior minister told AFP this month that Al-Qaeda was moving guns and militants from Iraq into Syria.

Clapper voiced concern that Al-Qaeda militants had inserted themselves inside a divided opposition amid the spiraling violence that activists say has left more than 6,000 people dead since March 2011.

“Another disturbing phenomenon that we’ve seen recently, apparently, is the presence of extremists who have infiltrated the opposition groups.

“The opposition groups in many cases may not be aware that they’re there,” said Clapper, director of national intelligence.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaking at a news conference with his German counterpart, Thomas De Maiziere, echoed Clapper’s view but said Al-Qaeda’s influence on the opposition remained unclear.

Asked if Washington could support opposition forces given Al-Qaeda’s presence, Panetta said: “I think just the fact that they’re present concerns us. As to what their role is, and how extensive their role is, I think that remains to be seen.”

Clapper said the opposition was deeply fragmented and that the Assad regime appeared able to hold on to power for the moment as it pressed ahead with the violent repression of protests.

He added there was no sign the stalemate would end anytime soon.

The U.S. spy chief has previously told lawmakers that it was only a matter of time before the regime fell, but predicted a protracted struggle.

Clapper also said U.S. intelligence agencies were monitoring Syria’s “extensive network” of chemical weapon stockpiles, which he said presented a bigger challenge than Libya’s arsenal did before the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. 

“Although to this point, and we’re watching these very carefully, they appear to be secure,” he said.

Clapper said he expected Al-Qaeda’s role, rifts within rebel ranks and the presence of chemical weapons would “affect any discussion (about) coming to some assistance” in support of the opposition. 

-TAAN, Al-Akhbar, RT