Middle East News

Syria accepts Arab League peace plan, opposition doubtful

Nov 2, 2011, 17:28 GMT

Cairo- Syria on Wednesday accepted an Arab League plan to end unrest in the country 'without reservations,' Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim al Thani said, but the opposition immediately cast doubt on the agreement.

'The Syrian delegation accepted the Arab League plan without reservations and in its entirety,' bin Jassim said following a high level Arab League meeting at its Cairo headquarters.

'We are pleased to reach this agreement and we will be more pleased if the agreement is immediately implemented,' he said.

But Bassam Jaraahe, a spokesman for the opposition Syrian National Council, told al Jazeera television: 'The Syrian regime was forced to accept the agreement, but we doubt that the regime will implement it.'

A Lebanese delegate, said the plan called for a 'complete halt to the violence to protect civilians.'

It also calls for the release of those detained as a result of the uprising, the withdrawal of forces from towns and districts where there have been armed clashes, and the granting of access to Arab League delegates as well as international media.

The Lebanese delegate said the plan did not specify where talks would be held between the government and the opposition.

The announcement came after a day of renewed violence in which 18 people died, according to opposition groups.

Since the uprising started in mid-March the government has banned foreign media from entering the country.

More than 3,000 people, including at least 187 children, have been killed in the crackdown since protests began in mid-March, according to the United Nations.