At least 65 people were found shot dead with their hands bound in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo today in a "new massacre" in the near two-year revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, activists said.
UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan meets President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday to press for a political solution to Syria's year-long uprising and bloody crackdown in which thousands of people have been killed.
Syria has pledged to withdraw all military units from towns by April 10 to pave the way for a ceasefire with rebels two days later, th ough Western envoys were sceptical about Damascus' intent to halt its year-long assault on opponents.
UN-Arab League mediator Kofi Annan's deputy told the Security Council that the swift deployment of more observers to Syria was needed despite continued risks and persistent violence, though some council members have expressed reluctance.
The United States strongly condemned two blasts that hit Syria's capital, saying they should not be allowed to impede an Arab League plan aimed at ending a bloody nine-month crackdown against anti-government protests.
Israeli-Palestinian talks aimed at reviving peace negotiations ended in Jordan without achieving any progress and President Mahmoud Abbas plans to consult fellow Arabs on his next move, Palestinian officials said.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby appointed Ban's predecessor Kofi Annan as joint special envoy on the Syrian crisis, the United Nations announced.
The Arab League called on Syria's army to stop the killing of civilians and said it was suspending Syria from the regional body in a surprise move that turns up the heat on President Bashar al-Assad.
Arab officials will prepare plans for sanctions against Syria over its failure to let Arab League monitors oversee an initiative aimed at ending a violent crackdown on protesters seeking an end to President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
Arab states may take their proposals for ending Syria's crackdown on protests to the UN Security Council next week unless Damascus agrees to implement the initiative, Qatar's foreign minister said.
The Arab League chief said that Arabs did not want military strikes by Western powers that hit civilians when the League called for a no-fly zone over Libya.
The Arab League will apply to upgrade the Palestinians to full member status at the United Nations, according to a draft statement from a league meeting in Qatar today.
Arab foreign ministers told Syria today to work to end months of bloodshed "before it's too late", and decided to send Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby to Damascus to push for political and economic reforms.