Arab League Halts Observer Mission in Syria

Cairo: The Arab League has announced the suspension of its monitoring mission in Syria, citing the escalating violence in the country as a reason. ­”It has been decided to immediately stop the work of the Arab League’s mission to Syria pending presentation of the issue to the League’s council,” the Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby said on Saturday.

The decision came after consultations between the Arab League Chief, Nabil al-Arabi, and the head of the mission, Mohammed Al-Dabi.

Al-Arabi said that he had consulted several Arab foreign ministers before taking the decision which will be discussed thoroughly in the Arab League council soon.

The act comes after Kingdom of Saudi Arabia withdrew its monitors from Syria, a week back.

Meanwhile, Syria continued its offensive on its rebel towns. The government troops fired mortars in the suburbs of Damascus into areas which have fallen under the control of insurgents. At least 12 killed and over 30 injured including civilians and deserters from the Syrian army who have sided with the opposition.

Reacting on suspension of the operations of the Arab League Observer Mission in Syria today, Foreign Secretary William Hague said “Now is the time for the international community to unite to make clear to President Assad and his regime that the killing must stop.”

He called for international community to unite, which includes agreeing a United Nations Security Council Resolution this week, to make clear to President Assad and his regime that the killing must stop.