Syrian military in retreat, says Arab League Chief The Secretary General of the Arab League said on Monday that the Syrian military has withdrawn from residential areas and is on the outskirts of the country's cities. Speaking in Cairo, Elaraby said his monitors think snipers are still a issue but its "hard to say who's shooting who." Arab League monitors have spent the last week in Syria to determine whether President Bashar Al Assad is keeping to an agreed peace plan following a deadly anti-democracy crackdown. Elaraby said the number of monitors will be increased and reiterated his call for all violence to stop. Arab League officials said those monitors already in Syria have achieved the release of nearly 3,500 prisoners and helped improve food supplies to the city of Homs, a hotbed of anti-government protests. But commentators are sceptical that the monitor's mission is really working. Since their visit began a week ago, 315 civilians including 24 children have died in clashes between the military and activists. More about: Arab League, Bashar al-Assad, Military, Syria