Syrian Opposition Want UN Role In Arab Mission

The Syrian opposition wants the UN to play a role in the Arab League monitor mission.

The Syrian opposition wants the United Nations to help Arab League monitors on the ground in Syria who are trying to bring an end to ten months of violence.

That request was made by members of the opposition Syrian National Council to Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi in Cairo on January 5.

Meanwhile, Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim, who heads the Arab League committee on Syria, said the monitor mission had "made some mistakes," but ruled out pulling them out.

He was speaking in New York after talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. A spokesman for the UN leader said the two had discussed "practical measures how the United Nations could assist this observer mission."

No comment was immediately available from Qatari officials on Sheikh Hamad's remarks, which were reported by KUNA, the Kuwaiti state news agency.

In Damascus, the government announced it had released more than 500 prisoners detained in recent protests. This after some 700 were released last month. The opposition says some 10,000 are still being detained.

compiled from agency reports