Beirut: The Arab League repeated its demand Sunday for the Syrian government to immediately stop all violence and allow more monitors in, as activists reported at least 10 more civilians killed by regime forces including two teenagers.
Fierce clashes in the south between government troops and military defectors killed 11 soldiers dead, activists said. The Arab League also called on other armed parties to halt all bloodshed, an apparent reference to the defectors. The government says that the turmoil in Syria is not an uprising but the work of terrorists and foreign-backed armed gangs.
The Arab League said it needs more monitors in Syria, but did not name an exact number. Initially, the League had requested to send 500 monitors, but so far Syria has allowed in just 165. The reports could not be independently confirmed as Syria has barred most foreign journalists from the country and tightly restricts the local media.
The regime`s crackdown has led to broad worldwide condemnation and sanctions, weakened the economy and left President Bashar Assad an international pariah just as he was trying to open up his country and modernize the economy. The government says that the turmoil in Syria is not an uprising but the work of terrorists and foreign-backed armed gangs.
The Arab League said it needs more monitors in Syria, but did not name an exact number. Initially, the League had requested to send 500 monitors, but so far Syria has allowed in just 165. Bureau Report