The National Health Service in the UK has many staff who are not native Britons. Doctors in particular come from a wide range of countries, including those in the Middle East, Syria and Iraq. The NHS relies on these foreign workers. Without them currently it would not be able to function.
Today there have been reports that a terror suspect has been arrested as he entered the UK via Heathrow Airport, London. There are claims that he is, or was, an NHS doctor.
The 26-year-old man arrived in the UK from Egypt. He was accompanied by a 26-year-old British woman. He had worked in the UK for the NHS but had taken a sabbatical. What he was up to during that sabbatical is now the question.
The British authorities believe that during his time away from work he was in Syria heading a terrorist organisation. Such groups in Syria have increasingly had members from other countries or former citizens who have travelled back home. The groups are helping those who want to remove President Assad from Syria.
The allegations against this man are that he was heavily involved in the terorist group which shot and kidnapped a British photographer in Syria in July 2012. Dutchman Jeroen Oerlemans was also captured and held captive along with the veteran phographer, John Cantlie. Both men were released after a week or so.
Mr Cantile was injured during his capture and he claims that a member of the gang said he had worked as a doctor for the UK NHS. In the end he treat Mr Cantile's wounds.
There have been many reports of supporters of the Syrian rebels leaving the UK to actively work on the ground in Syria. For some it will remain home. They may also have family still living in that country. For others they may have their own reasons for wanting President Assad removed from Office.
The two who were arrested at Heathrow are both British residents. Police investigations are ongoing. Under the prevention of Terrorism Act police have conducted searches of two residential properties in London.
February 4, 2012
As expected Russia used its option of veto for the UN vote on a Syrian resolution. They were joined by China.. As today the people in the city of Homs were bombarded yet again, a crisis point is rapidly being reached.
The remaining 13 member countries all voted in favour of the resolution. Those in favour maintain that the resolution was carefully worded in order to calm any fears that China and Russia may hold. It was not enough. Once again Russia and China exercised their right to veto. For those two countries it is doubtful that any resolution on Syria would have met with their approval. The US ambassador to the UK stated that the countries who vetoed the resolution would have blood, "on the hands" should the current state of affairs on Syria continue.
For Russia and China the resolution did not meet with their requirements, in that it was aimed at President Assad and not those opposing him. The Russian representative said, "If our colleagues adopt a constructive position we will obtain a collective position of the Security Council to which all countries will sign up without exception". Sergei Lavrov had previously warned, "Unless you do it both ways, you are taking sides in a civil war." Yes, as in Libya I guess. Will the end justify the means?
The resolution was based on the Arab League monitors proposals that, President Assad stand down. Even before the vote was underway US secretary of state Hilary Clinton ruled out any military intervention in Syria.
As news of increasing violence in Syria continues to break Syrian embassies in other countries have been under attack. In London it took police some time to restore order. Overnight in London six people were arrested as missiles and more were thrown at the Syrian embassy. The charges include breaking and entering and assault. An angry mob protested outside. It took a huge increase in police numbers to finally restore order.
In Cairo, Egypt the Syrian embassy was also attacked. Similar scenes occurred in Kuwait were the Syrian opposition flag was raised at the Syrian embassy. Further protests about the Syrian violence were held outside embassies in Germany, Spain, Sweden and the US. Syrian embassy buildings in many countries have been severely damaged. Meanwhile Tunisia has expelled the Syrian ambassador from its country.
The latest figures claim that in the last year around 5,500 people have died on the streets of Syria. RIP