Syria to admit observers as part of Arab League plan

SYRIA has said it will accept observers as part of an Arab League plan to end deadly unrest if its conditions are met, in a last-ditch bid to stave off crippling sanctions.

“The Syrian government responded positively to the signing of the protocol” on sending observers “based on the Syrian understanding of this cooperation”, foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdisi told reporters.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said he received a letter from Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem outlining his government’s about-face, which contained “new demands”.