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    November 24, 2011

Arab League Meets on Syria

   Economic sanctions, travel ban on Syrian officials are among options
   being discussed

   VOA News
   Demonstrators protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in
   Homs, November 23, 2011. Photo: Reuters
   Demonstrators protest against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in
   Homs, November 23, 2011.

   Arab League foreign ministers are meeting in Cairo to consider further
   measures against a Syrian regime that seems intent on continuing its
   bloody crackdown against anti-government protesters.
   The ministers said options under discussion at Thursday's meeting
   include economic sanctions and a travel ban on Syrian officials.
   They may also consider a proposal floated Thursday by French Foreign
   Minister Alain Juppe that the international community create what he
   called a humanitarian corridor in Syria and send in international
   monitors to ensure the safety of civilians.
   Juppe said he would seek Arab League support for the measure and also
   discuss it with the United States and international partners at the
   United Nations.
   The Arab League suspended Syria's membership two weeks ago, angered
   that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad failed to fulfill a pledge to
   bring an end to the violence and pull Syrian forces out of major
   cities.
   The United Nations says at least 3,500 people have been killed in
   connection with the Syrian revolt since March. Syria blames much of the
   violence on foreign-backed terrorists and religious extremists.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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References

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