Arab League Gives One-Day Ultimatum To Syria

Thousands of Syrians have been reported killed since antiregime protests began earlier this year.

The Arab League has warned Syria that it has one day to agree to the deployment of observers or it will face economic sanctions.

The Arab League says that if Damascus does not agree to an observer mission by November 25, the Cairo-based organization will meet the following day to decide on sanctions.

Punishment could include ceasing trade with the Syrian government apart from goods that affect the Syrian people, stopping flights to Syria, and ending dealings with Syria's central bank.

Damascus has objected to the Arab League's plan to bring 500 observers to Syria to monitor the situation amid a continuing crackdown on protests.

The United Nations estimates that more than 3,500 people have died since the protests began in March.

The Arab League has already suspended Syria's membership of the bloc because of the bloodshed.

compiled from agency reports