Arab states call to send UN peacekeepers to Syria

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In a draft resolution, the Arab League on Sunday called on the UN to send peacekeepers to Syria. It also advocates strengthening economic sanctions against that country.

The AL calls for the suspension of all forms of diplomatic cooperation with Damascus. This resolution came following a meeting of the Arab foreign ministers in Cairo.

Meanwhile, the Arab League also plans to "open channels of communication with the Syrian opposition and to provide all forms of political and material support," according to the draft resolution.

Ministers welcomed the proposal as Tunisia stated it would hold on its soil a conference for the "Friends of Syria" on February 24.

Even before the meetings began, Damascus accused the Arab countries of serving Western powers: "There will probably be no surprise because the orders have already been transmitted. They do not decide anything, " , wrote Sunday the government daily As-Thawra .

On the ground, the violence in Syria continues. According to human rights activists, on Saturday more than 30 people were killed. In Homs alone at least 500 people were killed since February 4, said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In the region around Daraa in the south of the country, six civilians were killed by soldiers. Five soldiers and two deserters were killed in clashes.