Syrian activists doubt Arab mission will work

Syrian activists doubt Arab monitors are getting the access they need to be able to give a fair assessment of whether Damascus has ended a nine-month crackdown on anti-government protests.    

They say the Arab team is only coordinating it work with the authorities and complain that security escorts, from the very forces that have sought to crush the protests, mean many activists dare not approach the monitors.    

The Arab League delegation began its mission in the flashpoint city of Homs on Tuesday and was visiting three other cities on Thursday including Deraa, the cradle of the revolt against the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad.    

"At first we were really hopeful. We thought we would be able to go to public squares and express our views but unfortunately when we tried we were faced with violence from the security," said Abu Rami from Homs.    

"It is very difficult to talk to them, the delegation is always accompanied by security officers. There are snipers on the top of their hotel. We as activists are unable to communicate directly with them," he said.   

Pictures on al-Jazeera television showed thousands of protesters in the streets of Deraa, some holding banners urging the Arab team to take the "side of the justice". "The observers committee is a muted devil" read another.    

Arab League officials have said the monitors will do whatever is necessary to assess the true situation on the ground, including meeting with protesters, witnesses and government officials.    

The League posted a special email address on its Facebook page on Thursday where media can send complaints if they are not allowed to enter Syria or are faced with any other difficulties.    

Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Makdesi said in an email the monitors were "getting all the facilities they need".    

But the unrest has continued during the monitors' visit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 19 people were killed on Thursday, adding to a toll the United Nations says has topped 5,000 since March.

Reuters