Syria: Arab monitor pullout aims to influence UN

Syria said the Arab League's suspension of its monitoring mission in the country was an attempt to influence the United Nations Security Council and increase pressure for foreign intervention, state television said on Saturday.

"This will have a negative impact and put pressure on (Security Council) deliberations with the aim of calling for foreign intervention and encouraging armed groups to increase violence," a news flash on Syria Television said.

"Syria is still committed to the success of the Arab monitoring mission and to protecting the mission observers," the news flash said.
 
Syria said earlier that it regretted and was surprised by an Arab League decision to halt its mission monitoring a peace plan in the country, official state television said on Saturday.

"Syria regrets and is surprised at the Arab decision to stop the work of its monitoring mission after it asked for a one- month extension of its work," Syria Television reported in an urgent news flash.

The Arab League on Saturday said it was suspending its mission due to deteriorating conditions and rising violence in Syria, which is grappling with a 10-month revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Arab League foreign ministers are expected to meet in the week starting Feb. 5 to discuss whether to withdraw their monitoring mission in Syria after an escalation in violence, despite an Arab peace effort, an Arab League official said on Saturday.

The official, who declined to be named, told Reuters the ministers were expected to meet in the week starting Feb. 5 but added "the exact date is not fixed yet."

An Arab diplomat at the League said the ministers would meet after Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby meets the members of the U.N. Security Council in New York, a meeting that is expected to take place this coming Tuesday.

The diplomat also said Elaraby had full powers to withdraw the monitoring team from Syria if he deemed their lives in danger or that they no longer could fulfill their mission.

Reuters