Ban: Arab League mission to return to Syria

The Arab League intends to restart its observer mission in Syria where government forces have killed thousands of civilians, UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday. Ban told reporters the head of the Arab League had told him of the plan to revive the mission and had asked for it to become a joint UN-Arab League operation. The Arab League suspended observer work in Syria on January 28 because of the mounting violence by President Bashar al-Assad's forces in key protest cities. Many states withdrew their observers completely. Ban said he spoke to Arab League secretary general Nabil al-Arabi by telephone on Tuesday. "He informed me that he intends to send the Arab League observer mission back to Syria and ask for UN help," Ban said. "He further suggested that we consider a joint observer mission in Syria, including a joint special envoy." The UN leader said consultations would be held with UN Security Council members in coming days "before fleshing out the details". Ban condemned the 15-nation council's failure to agree a resolution on Syria, saying it had been "disastrous" for the country's people. Russia and China vetoed a resolution on Saturday which would have backed the Arab League plan to end the deadly crackdown. "It has encouraged the Syrian government to step up its war on its own people," Ban said of the veto.