Arab League calls for end to Syria shooting

Syria's regime has withdrawn heavy weapons from cities and freed about 3,500 prisoners, but protesters are still being shot, according to the head of the Arab League.

Secretary general Nabil Elaraby said security forces had not stopped shooting protesters and snipers continued to operate, even with the League's monitors working in the country. He also called on the opposition and ordinary Syrians to aid the observers by sending them names of relatives or friends who they think have been detained.

The monitors are supposed to verify Syria's compliance with an Arab League plan to stop the nine-month-long crackdown on dissent. But activists say government forces have killed more than 150 people since they began their mission last week.

AP