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Syria rejects new Arab League peace mission proposal Syria rejects new Arab League peace mission proposal
(about 6 hours later)
Syria has "categorically rejected" an Arab League resolution calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end the country's 11-month conflict.Syria has "categorically rejected" an Arab League resolution calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end the country's 11-month conflict.
The resolution, seen by the BBC but not yet officially released, also said the League was ending all diplomatic co-operation with Syria. Yusuf Ahmed, Syria's envoy in Cairo, said the plan "reflected the hysteria of these governments".
Damascus's envoy in Cairo, Yusuf Ahmed, said the plan "reflected the hysteria of these governments". Russia said it was studying the proposal but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said violence must end before peacekeepers could be sent.
The plan comes as the UN General Assembly prepares to debate Syria. The UN General Assembly is set for a key debate on the crisis in Syria.
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, who has been sharply critical of the actions of President Bashar al-Assad's government, is expected to address the assembly.UN human rights chief Navi Pillay, who has been sharply critical of the actions of President Bashar al-Assad's government, is expected to address the assembly.
The Arab League also said it would be "opening communication channels with the Syrian opposition and providing all forms of political and material support to it", and urged opposition groups to be more united. The Arab League said it was ending all diplomatic co-operation with Syria, and promised to give "political and material support" to the opposition.
The League's moves come a week after a UN Security Council resolution on Syria, which would have endorsed a previous Arab League peace initiative, was vetoed by Russia and China. The league's moves come a week after Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Syria, which would have endorsed a previous Arab League peace initiative.
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Cairo says the new resolution contains the toughest language on Syria by the Arab League so far and makes it much more likely that the issue will return to the Security Council.The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Cairo says the new resolution contains the toughest language on Syria by the Arab League so far and makes it much more likely that the issue will return to the Security Council.
The fact that they are considering these moves shows the extent of the Syrian regime's isolation, our correspondent adds.
The Arab League decisions to halt all economic and diplomatic co-operation with the Syrian government may intensify the pressure and isolation for Damascus.The Arab League decisions to halt all economic and diplomatic co-operation with the Syrian government may intensify the pressure and isolation for Damascus.
But the call on the UN Security Council to pass a resolution to set up a joint UN/Arab League peacekeeping operation is unlikely to bring swift results. But the call on the UN Security Council to pass a resolution to set up a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping operation is unlikely to bring swift results.
Any such move needs a ceasefire which does not exist, and which Syria would not accept because it would put rebels and government on the same footing.Any such move needs a ceasefire which does not exist, and which Syria would not accept because it would put rebels and government on the same footing.
It would also require a consensus at the Security Council which is not there. But the League's decisions gave its members political cover for backing and financing the Syrian opposition. Syria already accuses some Arab states of paying and arming the rebels. It would also require a consensus at the Security Council which is not there. But the league's decisions give its members political cover for backing and financing the Syrian opposition. Syria already accuses some Arab states of paying and arming the rebels.
The appearance on the scene of al-Qaeda further complicates the picture as the opposition strives to appear peaceful victims of state oppression. The appearance on the scene of al-Qaeda further complicates the picture as opposition activists strive to appear as peaceful victims of state oppression.
The fact that they are considering these moves shows the extent of the Syrian regime's isolation, our correspondent adds.
But, he says, it remains to be seen whether Moscow will continue to lend its support to its old allies and trading partners.But, he says, it remains to be seen whether Moscow will continue to lend its support to its old allies and trading partners.
The League's resolution also formally ends the observer mission it sent to Syria in December. It was suspended in January amid criticism that it was ineffective in the face of continuing violence.The League's resolution also formally ends the observer mission it sent to Syria in December. It was suspended in January amid criticism that it was ineffective in the face of continuing violence.
The head of that mission, the controversial Sudanese General Mohammed al-Dabi, had submitted his resignation on Sunday.The head of that mission, the controversial Sudanese General Mohammed al-Dabi, had submitted his resignation on Sunday.
Earlier, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri backed the Syrian uprising in a video message, telling the opposition not to rely on the West or Arab countries for support.Earlier, al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri backed the Syrian uprising in a video message, telling the opposition not to rely on the West or Arab countries for support.
There have been reports that US officials suspect al-Qaeda involvement in two deadly blasts in the second city of Aleppo last week.There have been reports that US officials suspect al-Qaeda involvement in two deadly blasts in the second city of Aleppo last week.
Renewed bombardment
Meanwhile, fresh violence in the Syrian city of Homs was reported on Monday.Meanwhile, fresh violence in the Syrian city of Homs was reported on Monday.
"Tank shelling has been non-stop on Baba Amro and the bombardment on al-Waer [district] began overnight," activist Mohammad al-Hassan told Reuters. "Tank shelling has been non-stop on Baba Amr and the bombardment on al-Waer [district] began overnight," activist Mohammad al-Hassan told Reuters.
Following after a brief lull in fighting, at least four people were killed in the Baba Amr neighbourhood of the city on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights said. Following a brief lull in fighting, at least four people were killed in Baba Amr on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights said.
At least 35 were reported dead on Saturday.At least 35 were reported dead on Saturday.
Activists say more than 400 people have been killed since security forces launched an assault on opposition-held areas on the city earlier this month. Activists say more than 400 people have been killed since security forces launched an assault on opposition-held areas on the city this month.
Human rights groups say more than 7,000 have died throughout Syria since March. The government says at least 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed combating "armed gangs and terrorists". Human rights groups say more than 7,000 have died throughout Syria since last March. The government says at least 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed combating "armed gangs and terrorists".
Syria restricts access to foreign media and it is not possible to verify casualty figures.Syria restricts access to foreign media and it is not possible to verify casualty figures.