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Syria nears Arab League deadline for end to crackdown Syria nears Arab League deadline for end to crackdown
(about 1 hour later)
Violence is continuing in Syria, as deadline set by the Arab League approaches for the government to end its crackdown on protesters. Violence has been continuing in Syria, as a deadline set by the Arab League approaches for the government to end its crackdown on protesters.
A Syrian diplomatic source said Damascus would accept observers to monitor implementation of a peace deal, but with conditions.A Syrian diplomatic source said Damascus would accept observers to monitor implementation of a peace deal, but with conditions.
The Arab League formally suspended Syria on Wednesday. The head of the Arab League said it was studying a letter from Syria seeking changes to its proposed observer mission.
Meanwhile, the British Foreign Secretary announced that he would meet Syrian opposition members. The Arab League has suspended Syria.
William Hague will meet members of the Syrian National Council (SNC) and the National Co-ordination Committee for Democratic Change in London on Monday, his office said. It set a deadline of midnight local time (22:00 GMT on Saturday) for the government to stop its bloody suppression of anti-government protests, or face sanctions.
'Smaller delegation''Smaller delegation'
At least 11 people died in clashes on Friday, activists said, amid growing fears of civil war. However, activists said at least 11 people died in clashes on Friday, amid growing fears of civil war.
The League says Syria will face sanctions unless it stops its bloody suppression of anti-government protests. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby said the group was studying a letter from Syria which "included amendments to the draft protocol regarding the legal status and duties of the monitoring mission of the Arab League to Syria".
A Syrian diplomatic source told the BBC on Friday that Damascus had informed the League of its offer to allow monitors in, and that a few details were being worked out. Reports suggest Damascus has said it will accept a delegation of 40 observers - a much smaller number than the 500 initially proposed by the League.
However, reports suggest Damascus has said it will accept a delegation of 40 observers - a much smaller number than the 500 initially proposed by the League. The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says opposition activists are extremely sceptical, believing that the government is just playing for time.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says the opposition are extremely sceptical, believing that the government is just playing for time.
But the Syrian authorities also face a dilemma, our correspondent says: if they allow the situation to be stabilised with observers, and pull their troops out, they could see large parts of the country falling outside their control.But the Syrian authorities also face a dilemma, our correspondent says: if they allow the situation to be stabilised with observers, and pull their troops out, they could see large parts of the country falling outside their control.
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.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 President Bashar al-Assad agreed to the plan at the time, but has so far failed to implement it.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad agreed to the plan at the time, but has so far failed to implement it.
Correspondents say the invitation for League officials to visit Syria is a significant concession by Damascus.Correspondents say the invitation for League officials to visit Syria is a significant concession by Damascus.
Syria is aware that Libya's suspension from the Arab League helped persuade the UN Security Council to authorise the military action which helped topple Col Muammar Gaddafi.Syria is aware that Libya's suspension from the Arab League helped persuade the UN Security Council to authorise the military action which helped topple Col Muammar Gaddafi.
'Restraint and caution''Restraint and caution'
On Friday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called for restraint over Syria, after a meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.On Friday, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called for restraint over Syria, after a meeting with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon.
"We are calling for restraint and caution. This is our position," Mr Putin told a Moscow news conference, according to AFP news agency."We are calling for restraint and caution. This is our position," Mr Putin told a Moscow news conference, according to AFP news agency.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary William Hague will meet members of the opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) and the National Co-ordination Committee for Democratic Change in London on Monday, his office said.
Mr Hague's decision to meet opposition members comes amid mounting pressure on Damascus.Mr Hague's decision to meet opposition members comes amid mounting pressure on Damascus.
Both the US and Turkey have warned that the situation could escalate into a civil war. King Abdullah of Jordan urged Mr Assad to stand down.Both the US and Turkey have warned that the situation could escalate into a civil war. King Abdullah of Jordan urged Mr Assad to stand down.
But the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said she did not expect there to be an international intervention as in Libya.But the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said she did not expect there to be an international intervention as in Libya.
Some 400 people have been killed since the announcement of the Arab League initiative on 2 November, activists in Syria said.Some 400 people have been killed since the announcement of the Arab League initiative on 2 November, activists in Syria said.
The UN says at least 3,500 people have died since the unrest began in March, while many others have disappeared or been jailed.The UN says at least 3,500 people have died since the unrest began in March, while many others have disappeared or been jailed.