The "Syrian revolution" no longer fires Western imagination

The unanimity that prevailed in the Western and Gulf press during the last ten months is now crumbling. Even if certain major newspapers have painted the operation of the Syrian army to liberate the cities occupied by the Wahhabi Legion as a form of political repression against unarmed civilians, others are putting up an increasing number of red flags: the photos of civilians demonstrating against President al-Assad have given way to images of masked gunmen, while reports have insistently focused on faith or mafia-related abuses rather than on political protest.

Both the Western and Gulf media continue to reflect the position of their governments, but with more aloofness: the romantic image of the "Syrian revolution" has dissipated. The last remaining subterfuge to try and convince readers is to portray the "rebels" as "insurgents," claiming they are all Syrian army deserters instead of mostly foreign mercenaries of the Wahhabi Legion, often emanating from al-Qaida ranks.

All commentators await the next meeting of the Security Council where proposals by the Arab League and Russia should be submitted.