Arab League halts Syrian mission The Arab League has suspended its mission to Syria due to escalating violence there. It sent observers to the country in December to assess whether President Bashar Assad was keeping his pledge to end the bloodshed. The monitors will remain in Syria for the time being. The Arab League's decision comes amid Western efforts to draft a UN resolution that would call on Assad to step down. Russia opposes the move as Moscow enjoys close ties with Damascus. Activists say at least 135 people have been killed over the past three days, however the claim could not be independently verified. According to the UN, more than 5,000 people have lost their lives since opposition protests began in March against Assad's rule. The Assad family has ruled Syria for more than four decades.