Syria condemns Arab League threat

Syria has lashed out at the Arab League’s ultimatum to agree by today to allow an observer mission into the country or face sanctions.

The Arab League “has become a tool for foreign interference”, the state-run SANA news agency said.

It also said the 22-nation group is serving a Western agenda to stir up trouble in the region.

Thursday’s threat was a humiliating blow to Damascus, a founding member of the Arab League. It comes as international pressure mounts on President Bashar Assad to stop the brutal crackdown on an uprising against his regime.

The UN says has at least 3,500 have been killed since mid-March.

More protests were planned today.

Activists urged protesters to flood the streets to support army defectors who have sided with the opposition.

Turkey’s foreign minister said Syria faces a test of goodwill over the Arab League demand.

Ahmet Davutoglu said Syria “must open its doors to observers”.

Mr Davutoglu says the patience of Turkey and Arab countries is “running out over the bloodshed in Syria”.

He spoke during a joint news conference with Italy’s new Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi in Istanbul.