Friday 20 January 2011

Photos: [7]by: Local coordination committees in Syria BBC visit to Zabadany

 Syrian Kurd Leader: Revolution Won’t Succeed Without Minorities

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[local time]   19:59 Syria’s death toll on Friday has risen to 19, Al-Arabiya television quoted the General Commission of the Revolution as saying.
 19:15 The Syrian Revolution General Commission said on Friday that the death toll in Syria has risen to 17.
 18:05 Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday that there are “violent clashes” between the Free Syrian Army and members of the Syrian army in Edleb’s Khan Shaykhoun.

 15:12 Syrian forces’ gunfire injured people in Kanaker, which is near Damascus, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.

 14:57 At least three people were injured by security forces’ gunfire in the Hama neighborhood of Al-Alaylat. (S.N.N.)
 14:44 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Maarat an-Naaman shows thousands of people gathered chanting, “We follow you, God.”
 14:43 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Harasta, which is near Damascus, shows hundreds of protestors marching and chanting, “Death but not humiliation.”
 14:42 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Daraa’s Nemr shows hundreds protesting against the regime.
 14:41 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Homs’ Sokhna shows a large crowd gathered calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “leave.”
 14:41 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Homs’ Ghanto shows thousands of people gathered chanting against the regime.
 14:41 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Saqba, which is near Damascus, shows thousands of people chanting in a reference to late Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, “May your soul be cursed, Hafez.”
 14:40 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hama’s Hamidiya shows a large group gathered chanting, “The people want to execute the president.”
 14:27 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows protesters gathering in the Daraa town of Kherbet Ghazale.
 14:26 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows a massive anti-regime protest in the Daraa town of Tasil.
Protesters are chanting in support of the Free Syrian Army.
 14:24 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows a protest in the Homs town of Karm as-Shami.
 14:23 Blasts rocked Edleb’s Ariha in Syria amid anti-regime protests, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 14:22 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows a protest in the Homs neighborhood of Al-Ashira.
 14:10 Explosions and heavy gunfire were heard in the Homs town of Karm az-Zaytoun. (S.N.N.)
 14:08 Security forces opened fire at protesters in the Damascus neighborhood of Al-Qadam. (S.N.N.)
 14:07 A massive protest began in the Aleppo town of Taqad. (S.N.N.)
 14:05 Security forces arrested several activists in the Damascus neighborhood of Al-Assali. (S.N.N.)
 14:02 Al-Arabiya is broadcasting live footage of an anti-regime protest in the city of Yabroud.
 13:56 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Hass shows hundreds of people marching and chanting, “Syria wants freedom.”
 13:55 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Bensh shows hundreds of people chanting against the regime.
 13:54 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Daraa’s Yadouda shows a large group of people gathered chanting against the regime.

 13:50 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Kafr Takharim shows a large crowd marching and chanting against the regime.
 13:49 Sounds of a huge explosion and heavy gunfire were heard in the Homs neighborhood of Bab as-Sibaa. (S.N.N.)
 13:49 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Kafr Yahmol shows a large group marching and chanting, “Syria wants freedom.”
 13:48 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Daraa’s Naseeb shows hundreds of anti-regime protestors chanting, “God is the greatest.”
 13:47 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Houran’s Jeeza shows hundreds of people rallying against the regime.
 13:46 Protests began in the Homs neighbirhoods of Taht al-Mezanatayn and Ezzedine. (S.N.N.)
 13:46 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Aleppo’s Koubani shows people marching against the regime.
 13:44 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Daraya, which is near Damascus, shows a group of people demonstrating against the regime.
 13:43 An anti-regime protest erupted in the Homs town of Wadi Arab. (S.N.N.)
 13:42 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Aleppo’s Ratyan shows hundreds of people gathered chanting in support of the Syrian uprising.
 13:41 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime rally in Hama’s Taybat al-Imam.
 13:40 A massive protest began in the Houran town of Aalma. (S.N.N.)
 13:40 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Homs’ Bab Hood shows hundreds rallying against the regime.
 13:40 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Aleppo’s Ratyan shows hundreds of people calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “leave.”
 13:39 Syria’s Friday death toll has risen to 12 people, Al-Jazeera television reported.
 13:39 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Daraa’s Jeeza shows dozens of people gathered to protest against the regime.
 13:39 Security forces opened fire and threw tear gas bombs at protesters in the Damascus neighborhood of Al-Midan. (S.N.N.)
 13:39 A massive protest erupted in the Aleppo town of Akhtarin. (S.N.N.)
 13:38 Protesters are gathering in the town of Qarra near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:38 Security forces killed two protesters in the city of Abu Kamal. (S.N.N.)
 13:38 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Homs’ Tal as-Shour shows a large crowd chanting, “Death but not humiliation.”
 13:37 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Kafrouma shows dozens gathered chanting, “We have no one but God.”
 13:36 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Damascus’ Assaly shows a group of people chanting against the regime.
13:36 Security forces arrested several protesters in the town of Kanaker near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:34 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime rally in Homs’ Bayyada.
 13:32 A massive protest began in the town of Kafr Batna near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:31 Protesters are gathering in the Houran towns of Gharaya Al-Gharibya and Samad. (S.N.N.)
 13:30 Protests began in the Homs neighborhood of Bab Dreeb and the town of Al-Farhaniya. (S.N.N.)
 13:28 Several protests erupted in the Edleb towns of Kafr Nabel, Hass, Hazarayn, Kafr Awid and Al-Fatira in Edleb. (S.N.N.)
 13:28 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Edleb’s Hass shows dozens of people marching against the regime.
 13:27 Security forces opened fire at protesters in the town of Kanaker near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:27 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in the Damascus neighborhood of Hajar al-Aswad shows a group of people marching and chanting against the regime.
 13:26 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hasaka’s Amouda shows hundreds of people marching and calling for “freedom.”
 13:25 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in the Damascus neighborhood of Qadam shows dozens of people chanting against the regime.
 13:22 Syrian forces’ gunfire injured demonstrators in Homs, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 13:22 Several protests erupted in the Homs neighborhoods of Al-Ghouta, Al-Qousayr, Baba Amro, Al-Khalidiyeh and in the village of Al-Aqrab near Homs. (S.N.N.)
 13:21 Protests began in the towns of Daraya and Erbeen near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:20 A protest erupted in the Houran town of Al-Shajara. (S.N.N.)
 13:20 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime rally in Edleb’s Maarat an-Naaman.
 13:19 Protests began in the Aleppo towns of Andan and Manbij. (S.N.N.)
 13:17 Syrian forces are shooting at protestors in Daraa’s Enkhel, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 13:16 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hama’s Braydeej shows hundreds of people gathered chanting against the regime.
 13:15 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hasaka’s Amouda shows a large group of people calling for toppling the Syrian regime.
 13:12 A protest began in the Homs town of Al-Qousour. (S.N.N.)
 13:12 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hasaka’s Qamishli shows dozens of people gathered calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to “leave.”
 13:10 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday in Hasaka’s Darbasiya shows a large crowd marching and chanting, “Syria wants freedom.”
 13:10 Protests erupted in the Houran towns of Em Walad and Saida. (S.N.N.)
 13:09 Protests began in the Damasucs town of Qoudsiya, and in the town of Rankous near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 13:08 Protests began in the Houran town of Al-Mitaiya and in many towns in Edleb. (S.N.N.)
 13:06 Security forces arrested six protesters in the Daraa neighborhood of As-Sabil. (S.N.N.)
 13:05 Security forces opened fire on protesters in the Homs neighborhood of Bab As-Sibaa. (S.N.N.) 13:03 Protests against the regime take place in Aleppo’s Mareh, Arabeen, which is near Damascus, Aleppo’s Bazzaa, Homs’ Bab ad-Dreeb, Houran’s Ezreh, and in Aleppo’s Meng. (S.N.N.)
 13:00 A massive protest began in the Aleppo town of Mareh. (S.N.N.)
 12:57 Protests began in the Houran towns of Gharaya al-Sharqiya, Al-Neaimeh, Al-Teeba. (S.N.N.)
 12:56 A protest began in the Homs town of Houla. (S.N.N.)
 12:54 A protest began in the Aleppo town of Kafr Nouran. (S.N.N.)
 12:54 Protests against the regime are taking place in Houran’s Yadouda, Homs’ Waar and in Houran’s Sanamayn. (S.N.N.)
 12:53 A massive protest erupted in the Aleppo town of Al-Bab. (S.N.N.)
 12:53 A massive protest erupted in the Homs neighborhood of Al-Shammas. (S.N.N.)
 12:53 Syrian forces are making random arrests in Latakia. (S.N.N.)
 12:52 Syrian troops are shooting at anti-regime protestors in Houran’s Enkhel. (S.N.N.)
 12:52 Protesters are gathering in the town of Harasta near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 12:52 Many anti-regime protests began in the Edleb town of Saraqeb. (S.N.N.)

 12:51 A protest began in the Houran town of Sheikh Maskin. (S.N.N.)
 12:50 Syrian troops are shooting at anti-regime demonstrators in Duma, which is near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 12:50 Many protests began in the town of Duma near Damascus. (S.N.N.)
 12:48 Anti-regime rallies are taking place in Duma, which is near Damascus, and in Houran’s Jeeza. (S.N.N.)
 12:47 Thousands of protesters are gathering in the Houran town of Dael. (S.N.N.)
 12:46 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime protests in Homs’ Deir Baalaba.
 12:46 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime protests in Homs’ Bab al-Sibaa.
 12:46 Anti-regime protests are taking place in Daraa’s Tafas in Syria, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 12:46 A protest began in the town of Karm As-Shami in Homs. (S.N.N.)
 12:45 Another protest began in the Daraa neighborhood of Al-Kashef. (S.N.N.)
 12:45 A massive protest began in the Homs town of Ad-Dar al-Kabira. (S.N.N.)
 12:44 An anti-regime protest erupted in the Hama town of Bab Qabali. (S.N.N.)
 12:44 Syrian forces are firing tear gas at anti-regime protestors in Deir az-Zour, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 12:40 A massive protest began in the Homs neighborhood of Al-Malaab. (S.N.N.)
 12:40 Protesters are gathering outside the mosque of Al-Hussein in the Latakia area of Saliba. (S.N.N.)
 12:43 Security forces are shooting at anti-regime protestors in Edleb’s Ariha. (S.N.N.)
 12:42 Anti-regime demonstration taking place in Houran’s Nemr, Deir az-Zour’s Hajeen, Homs’ Hasyaa, Aleppo’s Bayanon, Houran’s Kafr Shams, Houran’s Mseifra, Homs’ Teir Maaleh, Hama’s Hamidiyah and Homs’ Ghanto. (S.N.N.)
 12:40 Crowds of people are rallying against the regime near Hama’s Safa Mosque in the area of Hayfaa and in Hama’s Helfaya. (S.N.N.)
 12:39 Protests against the regime are taking place in Houran’s Hara, Houran’s Jassem, Homs’ Bab al-Sibaa, Houran’s Enkhel, Aleppo’s Atareb and in Latakia. (S.N.N.)
 12:37 Protests erupted in the towns of Maarat Masrin, Sermin, Taftanaz, Qaminas, Al-Nayrab, Bansh, Kafr Jales, Ain Shayb and Fayloun near Edleb. (S.N.N.)
 12:37 Anti-regime demonstrations are taking place in Aleppo’s Seif ad-Dawla, Houran’s Maaraba, Edleb’s Ariha and in Homs’ Hamra. (S.N.N.)
 12:35 An anti-regime protest erupted in the town of Kafr Zita near Hama. (S.N.N.)
 12:31 Anti-regime protests are being held in Houran’s eastern Mleiha, Homs’ Talbisa and Homs’s Bab Hood areas. (S.N.N.)
 12:29 Protests against the regime began in the city of Edleb, in Aleppo’s Hayan, Hasaka’s Tal Tamr, Abu Kamal, Aleppo’s Marja neighborhood, Houran’s Tafas, Homs’ Qaryatayn and in Daraa’s Mahatta. (S.N.N.)
 12:20 Syrian forces heavily deploy around the country’s mosques to prevent protests, Al-Jazeera television reported on Friday.
 12:19 Al-Jazeera television is broadcasting live footage of Syrian anti-regime protests in Deir az-Zour and in Homs’ Talbisa.
 12:12 Security forces opened fire on people holding prayers inside the mosques of Ahmad al-Rifai and Omar Bin al-Assi in the Homs neighborhood of Al-Rifai. (S.N.N.)
 12:11 Thousands of protesters are gathering in the Hasaka town of Ras al-Ain. (S.N.N.)
 12:09 A protest erupted in the Homs town of Deir Baalaba. (S.N.N.)
 12:07 Anti-regime protests began in the Qamishli neighborhoods of Al-Arabi, Al-Antariya, Qadour Beik and Al-Kornish. (S.N.N.)
 12:01 An anti-regime protest erupted in Hasaka’s Darbasiyah outside the Al-Hajj Sultan mosque. (S.N.N.)
 11:59 Syria’s Friday death toll has risen to seven people, Al-Jazeera television reported.
 11:58 Thousands are gathering to protest against the regime in Hasaka’s Amouda. (S.N.N.)
 11:53 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows an anti-regime protest in the Edleb town of Hass. Protesters are holding banners condemning Russia and the Arab League’s observers mission.
 11:41 Security forces conducted dozens of arrests and confiscated the residents’ electricity generators in the Deir az-Zour town of Qouraya. (S.N.N.)
 11:37 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows an anti-regime protest in the Damascus neighborhood of Al-Qadam. Protesters are holding banners against the Arab League and accusing the organization of having blood on hands.
 10:46 A YouTube video purportedly filmed on Friday shows an anti-regime protest in the town of Erbeen near Damascus. Protesters are holding banners condemning Arab observers.
 10:11 Three people were killed by Syrian forces’ gunfire on Friday, Al-Arabiya television reported.
 7:49 French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe has said Qatar’s suggestion of an Arab peacekeeping force in Syria is not feasible, in an interview to be published Friday.
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 U.S. preparing to close embassy in Syria

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Anti-government protesters have taken to the streets of Syria in support of thousands of people detained by the government in the 10-month uprising.

The UN said last month that more than 14,000 people were in detention, but human rights activists believe as many as 40,000 people are being held.

The mass protests came a day after an Arab League observer mission in Syria completed its month-long mission.

Activists said seven people had been killed by security forces on Friday.

Six activists were shot dead in two villages in the north-western province of Idlib, while the body of a kidnapped soldier was found in the southern city of Deraa, they added.

The Local Co-ordination Committees, which documents and organises protests, said the soldier had been helping the opposition.

Earlier, state media reported that an army brigadier and two other members of the security forces had been killed by a “terrorist group” in the central city of Hama.

The LCC said the brigadier had worked for Military Intelligence and was killed by soldiers who had defected and refused his orders to shoot at civilians.

‘Amnesty for the media’

Thousands of people across Syria attended rallies on Friday called by activists “in support of the revolution’s prisoner”.

Many denounced the amnesty declared by President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday for “crimes” committed during the 10-month uprising against his rule.

The head of the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul Rahman, told the Associated Press that about 4,000 detainees had been released in the past week, many of them on bail and pending trial.

But he said 20,000 more were believed to be detention, not counting thousands of soldiers who were imprisoned for trying to desert.

“It was an amnesty for the media, nothing more,” he added.

The campaign group Avaaz recently said more than 37,000 people were being held, and that a total of 69,000 had been detained since March.

Some people at Friday’s protests also called for the end of the Arab League observer mission, which is accused of failing to halt the crackdown.

“Arab League, your hands are now soiled with the blood of Syrians,” said one banner at a rally in a suburb of Damascus.

The UN Security Council was told earlier this month that 400 people had been killed during the monitors’ first 10 days in Syria. The UN had previously said that more than 5,000 had died since March.

The Syrian authorities have said 2,000 members of the security forces have also been killed combating “armed gangs and terrorists”.

Observers ‘manipulated’

The head of the Arab League observer mission, Sudanese Gen Mohammed al-Dabi, flew on Thursday to the Egyptian capital Cairo, where he will present a report on its findings to Arab foreign ministers.

Although the initial mandate of the observer mission came to an end formally on Thursday, the agreement covering it provides for an extension for a second month if both sides agree. There has been no suggestion from Damascus that the monitors should be withdrawn.

The head of the Arab League’s Cairo operations room, Adnan al-Khudeir, said the observers would remain in 17 difference places around Syria until a decision was made by the foreign ministers on Sunday.

On Friday, Human Rights Watch called on the Arab League to release in full the report from the observer mission.

The New York-based group said it should do this to address growing concern that its mission had been manipulated by the Syrian authorities.

It said it had documented apparent efforts to transfer hundreds of detainees to improvised holding centres at military sites that were off-limits to the observers, and the issuing of police identification cards to military officials apparently in order to give the impression that troops had withdrawn from civilian areas.

“Only a transparent assessment of the monitoring mission can determine whether the monitors should stay in the country,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

“The Arab League should publicly recognise that Syria has not respected the League’s plan and work with the Security Council to increase pressure on the authorities and effectively curtail the use of fire power.”

The main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council, said its leader Burhan Ghalioun would ask the Arab League to refer the situation in Syria to the Security Council, “with a view to securing a decision to establish a buffer zone and a no-fly zone”.

Analysis

How much support does President Bashar al-Assad have in Syria?

He used to have real legitimacy, based on promises of reform and opposition to the actions of Israel, the US and their Western allies. But after 10 months of bloodshed large numbers of Syrians want him out. They keep on demonstrating, and some have taken up arms, even with the certain knowledge that protest could cost them their lives.

The president carries on because he has a power base centred on his own Allawite community, a Shia Muslim sect that makes up 12-15% of the population. Most Christians – about 10% of the population – also seem to see him as their best bet for the future. And there are unknown numbers of others, including some from the Sunni community that dominates the protests, who believe it is Bashar, for better or for worse, or civil war.

In the end, it is guesswork because this is a country without credible opinion polls, elections or free speech.

What is certain is that the protesters are too strong for the regime to stop them, but too weak to bring it down. The stalemate cannot last indefinitely.

Zabadani: The town President Assad does not control - video: 

20 January 2012 Last updated at 22:38Help

Inside Deraa: Town at centre of Syria uprising: Video

19 January 2012 Last updated at 23:08Help

Human rights activists say six people were killed in the Syrian city of Homs on Monday by pro-government militia.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,000 people have been killed in Syria since protests began last year against the rule of President Assad.

Homs has seen some of the worst violence. Tim Whewell, is one of the few western journalists to go there since the uprising began in March.

He had to operate under some of the regime’s restrictions.

More here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/syria

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Reuters: Violence keeps Syria on edge, Arab mission may extend

At least six people were killed in Syria on Friday and the bodies of six others were turned over to their families, activists said, two days before the Arab League decides whether to keep monitors there despite their failure to halt bloodshed.

But a source at League headquarters in Cairo said member states were leaning towards extending the mission, which expired on Thursday, because of an assessment that the monitors’ presence has reduced violence in some areas.

Syrian security men were out in force in several restive towns and cities to counter protests against Bashar al-Assad that often erupt after weekly Muslim prayers, activists said, while supporters of the Syrian president rallied in Damascus.

Hundreds of people have been killed since the monitors arrived in late December in Syria, where an armed insurgency has grown in recent months, challenging Assad’s grip on several parts of the country.

Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo on Sunday to decide whether to prolong the monitors’ one-month mandate.

Critics say the 165 monitors have provided diplomatic cover for Assad to carry on a military crackdown on unrest that the United Nations says has already killed more than 5,000 people.

But the Arab diplomatic source said although League member states remained deeply at odds over how to bring about a lasting solution to Syria’s crisis, they now had little option but to renew the observer mission unchanged.

Factors militating for an extension, he said, included the lack of international will for a Libya-style military intervention and a perception that the monitors were helping to curb at least some violence and encouraging peaceful protest.

“The closer Sunday’s meetings of the Arab committee and the Arab foreign ministers get, the more the conviction grows that the Arab monitoring mission in Syria should be extended,” the source told Reuters.

“Yes, there is not complete satisfaction with Syria’s cooperation with the monitoring mission. But in the absence of any international plan to deal with Syria, the best option is for the monitors to stay.”

The Syrian authorities accuse foreign-backed militants of killing 2,000 members of the security forces since the unrest began in March, inspired by Arab uprisings elsewhere that have toppled three autocrats.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said “ferocious repression” of Assad’s opponents by the authorities was dragging Syria towards chaos and would only benefit extremists.

He urged the Arab League to intensify its monitoring efforts and called on the U.N. Security Council, so far paralyzed by divisions over Syria, to act.

Security forces thwarted prayers for the fifth Friday in a row at the Omari mosque in the southern town of Deraa, where the anti-Assad revolt began 10 months ago, activists said.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said five civilians had been killed in gunfire around the country and a security officer had been assassinated in Deraa, possibly because he had changed sides. In the northwestern province of Idlib, security forces returned the bodies of six people who had disappeared two days earlier, it said.

It was not possible to verify the latest accounts of unrest in Syria, where tight media restrictions are enforced.

PRO-ASSAD CHANTS

At a small pro-Assad demonstration near the Omayyed mosque in Damascus, dozens of young men chanted: “We are your men, Bashar” and “Shabiha forever, for your eyes, Bashar,” a reference to a militia that operates alongside security forces.

Houssam Younis, an army conscript at the rally, said Assad should use “full force” to crush armed insurgents.

“The army is facing hell from them in Homs and Hama. We do not want reforms. We want to finish those terrorists first. The people should be united against them,” he told Reuters.

Sudanese General Mohammed al-Dabi, head of the monitoring mission, was expected to fly to Cairo, headquarters of the Arab League, on Saturday to report on what his 165-strong team has witnessed since it deployed in Syria.

Burhan Ghalioun, head of the opposition Syrian National Council, was also due in the Egyptian capital, where he planned to meet the League’s secretary-general, Nabil Elaraby.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said the League should publish Dabi’s report in full and should urge the U.N. Security Council to impose targeted sanctions, including an arms embargo, to stop the killing in Syria.

Russia and China, which wield vetoes in the Security Council, oppose any U.N. sanctions on Syria.

Sanctions imposed by Western countries, and disruption caused by the uprising, are battering the Syrian economy. Syria plans to introduce a managed float of its exchange rate, effectively devaluing the currency, its central bank governor Adib Mayaleh told the Financial Times on Friday.

The value of the Syrian pound has fallen by a third on the black market during the unrest, according to exchange dealers.

A Western embargo on Syrian oil exports has cost the country $2 billion since September, the state news agency SANA quoted Oil Minister Sufian Alao as saying.

Alao said Syria was still trying to replace European Union crude oil contracts with new customers, but was having trouble securing shipping insurance and trade credit.

The EU, which bought most of Syria’s approximately 130,000 barrels per day of oil exports, imposed sanctions on Syrian oil on September 2, following a similar decision by the United States.

Syrian oil exports are tiny when compared to those of the main Middle East exporters and the sector does not dominate the economy as it does elsewhere in the region, but it does provide revenue the government relies on.

EU governments are expected on Monday to expand a Syria sanctions list against individuals, companies and institutions.

Alao said attacks on oil and gas pipelines and other energy installations had killed 21 workers, disrupted supplies and caused damage estimated at 2 billion pounds ($34 million).

The Arab League suspended Syria and announced sanctions for its failure to comply with a November peace plan which required that it halt the bloodshed, withdraw military forces from the streets, free detainees, provide access to Arab monitors and the media, and open a political dialogue with opposition groups.

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Guardian: Syrian forces withdraw from embattled Zabadani

Opposition takes control of town near Damascus as Arab League considers extending fact-finding mission

Syrian government tanks and armoured vehicles have pulled back from an embattled mountain town near Damascus, activists and witnesses have said, but at least nine people were killed by security forces elsewhere as a month-long Arab League fact-finding mission expired.

The pullback from Zabadani left the opposition in control, activists said. The besieged town has witnessed heavy exchanges of fire between army troops and anti-government military defectors over the past six days.

The 10-month uprising against the Syrian president, Bashar Assad, has become increasingly militarised and chaotic as frustrated opponents and army defectors arm themselves to fight government forces. There have been three suicide bombings in the capital since late December, which the government has blamed on terrorist extremists.

Arab League foreign ministers would consider extending the observer mission in Syria at a meeting on Sunday in Cairo, officials said.

Although the mission ended on Thursday, Adnan al-Khudeir, the head of the Cairo operations room that handles reports by the monitors, said observers would remain in 17 places around Syria until a decision was made on Sunday.

According to Khudeir, the meeting chaired by the Qatari foreign minister will discuss a report by the head of the mission, General Mohammed Ahmed al-Dabi.

“If there is a decision to extend the mission of the observers, we are ready to send more monitors after training them in three days,” he said, adding that the total number of monitors might reach 300.

The mission has been mired in controversy, with the opposition claiming it served as a cover for the regime to continue its brutal crackdown.

The US state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland suggested the observers’ mission might not last indefinitely.

“Despite the best efforts of the Arab League, despite the considerable risks that they’ve put their monitors to, it has not succeeded in getting the Assad regime to meet its commitments,” she told reporters in Washington.

An Arab League official said the mission could be extended for another month.

Rejecting charges that the observers have been ineffective in reducing violence, he said extending the mission would help the opposition more than the regime.

“The killings are less, the protests increase,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no decision has been made. “The mission’s presence offers assurance to the people because the observers can spot any violations. There is a conviction even among Syria opponents that the extension is better than withdrawal.”

More than 5,400 people have been killed since the uprising erupted last March.

Activists reported continued violence on Thursday. In Damascus a Syrian security agent was wounded when a small explosive device tore through his car, a Syrian official said.

A military security brigadier, Adel Mustafa, was killed by soldiers who had defected and refused his orders to shoot at civilians in the Bab Qibli area of Homs, according to the local co-ordination committees, an umbrella group of activists. The officer had previously overseen many killing and arrest operations, according to the LCC.

In Zabadani, activist Fares Mohammad said Syrian forces withdrew on Wednesday night to two military barracks on the outskirts of the resort town, 17 miles west of Damascus.

The Syrian opposition has gained control of a town or city several times through the uprising, only for forces loyal to Assad to retake them. It is unusual for the army to take this long to recapture a town so close to the capital.

Mohammed said the siege had eased, but heating oil had not been allowed into the town. Military checkpoints surrounding Zabadani were still in place while about 100 armed defectors were “protecting” it.

Residents said government mortars had shelled the town on Wednesday, but that had stopped.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the pullout from Zabadani, saying only two armoured personnel carriers were left behind at one of the checkpoints near the town.

Syrian officials issued no comment about the fighting in Zabadani.

Activists said at least nine people were killed by security forces across Syria on Thursday, including four activists who were ambushed in the northern Jabal al-Zawiya region.