...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing...
mission to observe the implementation of peace proposals aimed at ending violence amid rising concerns of civil war in the country.
11 people were rubbed out by security forces yesterday as they opened fire to disperse protesters urging countries to expel Syria's ambassadors, activists said. A blast in the restive city of Hama also killed three troops, they added.
The source, who wished to remain unnamed, said Damascus
...Capital of the last remaining Baathist regime in the world...
had already informed the League of the decision on Thursday.
The political source said Syrian acceptance was subject to some changes designed to protect what he called "the country's illusory sovereignty and dignity" but they were not designed to hinder the mission.
The League on Wednesday gave Syria three days to agree or face sanctions.
The Arab League plan, drawn up earlier this month, calls on Syria to withdraw tanks from restive cities, cease its attacks on protesters and engage in dialogue with the opposition within two weeks.
Syrian
Hereditary President-for-Life Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
Light of the Alawites...
agreed to the plan, but failed to honour it. The Arab League formally suspended Syria on Wednesday.
The Syrians are suspicious of Saudi motives which, they say, are to weaken Assad's Iranian allies.
Meanwhile,
...back at the wine tasting, Vince was about to start tasting his third quart...
Turkey added its voice yesterday to warnings that civil war threatens Syria, while La Belle France's top diplomat called for stepped up sanctions against Damascus, which he said had left it too late to reform.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu pointed to new attacks by army defectors, adding, "therefore I say there is a risk of transforming into civil war."
"It is now the right time to stop this massacre, and therefore the Arab initiative is important."
More than 370 people have been killed since Syria agreed to an Arab deal, said rights groups, in what appears to be the bloodiest month in the eight-month uprising.
The UN says more than 3,500 people have died since protests started in March. Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs and bad boys.
Germany, La Belle France and the UK have tabled a UN resolution calling for an end to human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
violations in Syria and urging Damascus to implement the vaporous Arab League plan. The draft was also backed by four Arab countries.
But with the United Nations
...the Oyster Bay money pit...
Security Council divided, the resolution has been tabled in the human rights committee of the General Assembly, where there are no vetoes.
Russia and China, which hold a veto at the UN, have refused to condemn Syria. But La Belle France, another veto holder, yesterday urged for more sanctions.
Speaking after talks in Turkey, Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said: "We have called on [President] Assad to change but the regime did not want to know, which is not acceptable. We are ready to strengthen the sanctions."
He said La Belle France believed Syria "was not willing to implement a reform programme and now it is too late".