Arab League suspends observer mission in Syria

Arab League suspends observer mission in Syria

2012-01-29 00:57:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAMASCUS (BNO NEWS) -- Arab League Secretary-General Nabil el-Araby on Saturday decided to suspend its observer mission in Syria due to an escalation of violence which has left hundreds of people killed this week alone, officials said.

"Given the serious deterioration of the situation in Syria and the continued use of violence, including shelling and the exchange of gunfire which has left innocent citizens killed, [..] it has been decided to immediately discontinue the work of the Arab League's mission in Syria," el-Araby said. He also asked the head of the mission to ensure the safety and security of the mission's personnel.

The 100 observers arrived in Syria late last month to verify whether the regime has taken measures to protect civilians, but many of the observers refused to leave their hotels in Damascus on Friday and Saturday amid reports of increasing violence. The UK-based opposition group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed at least 130 people had been killed by the military on Friday alone.

In response to Saturday's announcement, the Syrian government said it was 'surprised' and said it regrets the decision. However, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) claimed the decision reflects the 'persistence of some [Arab League] member countries in supporting terrorist groups.'

Syria has been part of the wider Arab Spring movement which began in early 2011 and has been riddled by violence ever since. Pro-democracy demonstrations have spread across the country since mid-March, resulting in a fierce government crackdown which has left at least 5,400 people killed. UNICEF has said at least 384 children are among those killed.

Unrest has also spread to Damascus which was the scene of three deadly suicide bombings in recent weeks. At least 26 people were killed and more than 60 others were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up near a school in the al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus on January 6. It followed two suicide bombings which targeted Syrian government buildings on December 23, killing 44 people and injuring 166.

Earlier this month, the ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani, said he would be in favor of Arab troops being sent into Syria in order to stop the bloodshed. "For such a situation to stop the killing ... some troops should go to stop the killing," he told CBS News in an interview. The Syrian government said it rejects any plans to send Arab troops into the country, saying it would only 'aggravate' the situation and 'open the door' for foreign interference.

The Syrian government has repeatedly claimed that violent acts against protesters have been carried out by 'terrorists dressed as soldiers,' although international observers have rejected these claims. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad previously admitted that mistakes were made, but claimed protesters were no longer being targeted.

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