11 killed as Syria OKs observers 'in principle'

Syria has agreed "in principle" to allow an observer mission into the country, a senior official in Damascus said Friday, as security forces killed 11 anti-government protesters and France called for tough U.N. Security Council action.

The Arab League formally suspended Damascus this week over its crackdown on an 8-month-old uprising, which the U.N. estimates has killed more than 3,500 people. The group wants to send dozens of observers to the country to try to help end the bloodshed.
 
Syrian opposition members said Syria's stance was just a stalling tactic.
     
"We have warned in the past and we warn again that these are the methods of the regime to waste time," said Omar Idilbi, a Beirut-based member of the Syrian National Council, an umbrella group of regime opponents. "This is an attempt by the regime to gain more time."
 
Syrian activists said at least 11 people were killed as security forces on Friday fired on anti-government protests. Friday has become the main day for protests in Syria as thousands of people stream out of mosques following afternoon prayers.
 
Nabil Elaraby, the head of the Arab League, said in a statement Friday that he received "amendments" from Damascus, which the League is studying.
 
Ibrahim el-Zaafarani, a member of the Arab Medical Union who is expected to be part of the observer team for Syria, said the mission will include doctors, activists, lawyers and military experts.
 
"Our presence there will be protection for civilians," el-Zaafarani told The Associated Press by telephone from Cairo, where the Arab League has its headquarters.
 
The League originally had suggested a team of 500 people, but the number dropped to 40. He said he was not clear on why or on whose behest the number was reduced.