New violence in Syria as observers under scrutiny

The Arab League observers in Syria came under fresh scrutiny Wednesday after a former monitor called the mission a "farce."        

Arab League observers are inside the country to assess whether the government is abiding by its agreement to a plan to end the 10-month-old military crackdown on dissent.          

"The mission was a farce and the observers have been fooled," Anwer Malek told Al-Jazeera in an interviewed broadcast late Tuesday. "The regime orchestrated it and fabricated most of what we saw to stop the Arab League from taking action against the regime."        

The station identified Malek as an observer who quit the mission in disgust. There was no immediate comment from the Arab League.         

Malek's name was on a list of the observers who were sent to Syria in late December. He was identified as a Tunisian who works for the Paris-based Arab Committee for Human Rights.         

According to an Arab League official, three observers declined to complete their mission and returned, citing health problems. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, didn't identify the three.          

Opposition groups have been deeply critical of the Arab League mission, saying it is giving President Bashar Assad cover for his ongoing crackdown. The observer mission's Sudanese chief has raised particular concern because he served in key security positions under Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for crimes against humanity in Darfur.         

Critics also say the mission is far too small  and too dependent on government escorts  to be effective. The regime says the escorts are vital to the monitors' personal safety.         

Also Wednesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fresh violence in Syria. The group said soldiers and army defectors were fighting Wednesday in central Hama province. There was no immediate word on casualties.      

AP