Protesters 'still being shot' in Syria

Syria’s regime has withdrawn heavy weapons from cities and freed about 3,500 prisoners but protesters are still being shot, the chief of the Arab League has said.

Nabil Elaraby told a news conference security forces have not stopped shooting protesters and the regime’s snipers continue to operate, even with Arab League monitors working in the country.

Elaraby also called on the opposition and ordinary Syrians to aid the observers by sending them names of relatives or friends they think have been detained.

At least 150 people have been killed since the observers began their mission last Tuesday to verify the compliance of President Bashar Assad’s regime with an Arab League peace plan aimed at ending the regime’s nine-month crackdown on anti-government protesters.