This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-16372833
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Arab League observer 'concern' at Syria snipers | Arab League observer 'concern' at Syria snipers |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Arab League observers have expressed concern about government snipers firing at Syrian protesters from rooftops, reports say. | Arab League observers have expressed concern about government snipers firing at Syrian protesters from rooftops, reports say. |
| Violence in Syria has continued unabated despite the monitors' mission to assess the situation on the ground. | Violence in Syria has continued unabated despite the monitors' mission to assess the situation on the ground. |
| Footage posted online appears to show one official saying measures would be taken if snipers were not withdrawn. | Footage posted online appears to show one official saying measures would be taken if snipers were not withdrawn. |
| It is the first sign of a response since the mission chief caused outrage by saying he saw nothing "frightening". | It is the first sign of a response since the mission chief caused outrage by saying he saw nothing "frightening". |
| After a visit to the restive northern city of Homs on Thursday, Sudan's Gen Mustafa al-Dabi told the Reuters news agency that "some places looked a bit of a mess but there was nothing frightening". | |
| The German news agency, DPA, has also quoted a source close to the delegation saying that it is calling on the Syrian government to remove the snipers immediately. | The German news agency, DPA, has also quoted a source close to the delegation saying that it is calling on the Syrian government to remove the snipers immediately. |
| "The observers saw the snipers with their own eyes in Douma," the source told news agency DPA, referring to a volatile suburb of the capital, Damascus. | |
| Observers 'berated' | Observers 'berated' |
| The latest footage posted on the internet cannot be verified, but it shows what appears to be one of the Arab League observers in the city of Deraa complaining about government snipers shooting at protesters from rooftops. | The latest footage posted on the internet cannot be verified, but it shows what appears to be one of the Arab League observers in the city of Deraa complaining about government snipers shooting at protesters from rooftops. |
| He is filmed telling protesters that he could see the snipers and that the observers' concerns would be conveyed to the Arab League. He adds that if the snipers were not removed within 24 hours, action would be taken. | He is filmed telling protesters that he could see the snipers and that the observers' concerns would be conveyed to the Arab League. He adds that if the snipers were not removed within 24 hours, action would be taken. |
| Despite his comments the official is then berated by protesters for not doing enough. | Despite his comments the official is then berated by protesters for not doing enough. |
| The BBC's Jon Donnison in Beirut says that with the Arab League mission now in its fifth day, many demonstrators are becoming frustrated at the league's inability to stop the violence. | The BBC's Jon Donnison in Beirut says that with the Arab League mission now in its fifth day, many demonstrators are becoming frustrated at the league's inability to stop the violence. |
| About 60 monitors from the Arab League are in Syria to verify the implementation of a peace plan, which demands an end to all violence, the withdrawal of troops from the streets and the release of political prisoners. | |
| Although some tanks have reportedly pulled back, snipers have been visible during demonstrations and rallies. | Although some tanks have reportedly pulled back, snipers have been visible during demonstrations and rallies. |
| According to the Local Co-ordination Committees, a network of anti-government groups inside Syria, at least three people have been killed by security forces so far on Saturday - one each in Damascus, Homs, and Bokamal in the east. | |
| At least 35 people were killed on Friday, activists say, as security forces opened fire to stop protesters holding rallies in flashpoint cities like Hama, Deraa and Homs, all of whom were being visited by monitors. | |
| Security forces were accused of firing live rounds, nail bombs and tear gas. | Security forces were accused of firing live rounds, nail bombs and tear gas. |
| Syrian state media also showed pictures of what it said were pro-government rallies in several cities, including Damascus, with protesters showing their anger at a foreign-orchestrated "plot". | Syrian state media also showed pictures of what it said were pro-government rallies in several cities, including Damascus, with protesters showing their anger at a foreign-orchestrated "plot". |
| Opposition agreement | |
| The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March. The government says 2,000 security forces personnel have died. | The UN says more than 5,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March. The government says 2,000 security forces personnel have died. |
| Activists estimate that more than 150 people have been killed since monitors arrived in the country on Monday. | Activists estimate that more than 150 people have been killed since monitors arrived in the country on Monday. |
| Casualty figures and other information are hard to verify as most foreign media are barred from reporting freely in Syria. | Casualty figures and other information are hard to verify as most foreign media are barred from reporting freely in Syria. |
| Meanwhile, Syrian opposition groups have signed a draft agreement which charts a democratic transition should President Bashar al-Assad fall. | Meanwhile, Syrian opposition groups have signed a draft agreement which charts a democratic transition should President Bashar al-Assad fall. |
| Analysts say the move is a serious attempt by a fractured opposition to unite against the Syrian authorities. | Analysts say the move is a serious attempt by a fractured opposition to unite against the Syrian authorities. |
| Representatives from the two main opposition groups, the Syrian National Council and the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria (NCB), say the draft agreement was signed in Cairo on Friday night. | Representatives from the two main opposition groups, the Syrian National Council and the National Coordination Body for Democratic Change in Syria (NCB), say the draft agreement was signed in Cairo on Friday night. |