BBC News with Marion Marshall

The Arab League has suspended its observer mission in Syria. The head of the league, Nabil al-Arabi, said the decision was taken because of the worsening security situation. The move comes only days after the mission was extended for a second month. Syria expressed regret at the decision, which it said was aimed atinfluencing discussions at the UN Security Council of an Arab-backed draft resolution on Syria. It also said the decision would encourage more violence. Jim Muir is monitoring events from Beirut.

The Arab League said it was freezing the activities of the hundred or so observers on the ground in Syria because of what it called "the critical deterioration of the situation and the continued use of violence". The monitors will stay in the country for its time being, but their main mission now has become to keep themselves out of danger. Clashes, shooting and bombardments are reported from many of the main towns and cities, including several suburbs of Damascus. Conservative estimates are that around 200 people have been killed since the observer mission was renewed for a second month on Tuesday.