Stopping the bloodshed in Syria

Having spent 32 years with an international organisation, primarily in war zones, I would strongly support international intervention in the Syrian conflict to prevent the continuing killing of civilians.

We have repeatedly been told by the United States of America that Al-Qaeda is a “terrorist organisation”.

In view of the fact that international journalists have confirmed many leaders of the anti-Assad forces are Al-Qaeda operatives (including an Irish resident), I am concerned that Western governments are strongly supporting the anti-government forces.

The government of Syria may be far from perfect.

However, having lived in the country I can confirm that minority groups, mainly Christian and Jewish (of whom there is a large community), are allowed to function.

Many other governments in the region do not demonstrate such tolerance.

I pose the question — “would it be in the best interests of the region to have a Muslim fundamentalist state on the border with Israel?”

Michael A Moriarty

Rochestown

Cork