Syria Hits Out At Arab League Suspension Threat

The Syrian government has described the Arab League's decision to suspend the country as an "extremely dangerous step".

Foreign minister Walid al Moualem made the comments as the regime demanded an emergency meeting of the regional body which has moved to punish Syria for its ongoing military crackdown.

Mr al Moualem also accused the United States of "incitement" for welcoming the move.

On Saturday, the Arab League voted to suspend Syria from Wednesday if the country does not halt violence against civilians.

The body has also promised to impose economic sanctions.

The decision sparked attacks on the Qatari and Saudi embassies in Damascus by mobs of pro-Bashar al Assad supporters, but Syrian security forces did not intervene to prevent the attacks.

Adding to the mounting international pressure on Mr Assad , is the news that the European Union is also set to extend its sanctions against Syria.

Ambassadors from 27 EU nations have identified a number of people who have been associated with the violence against civilians whose names will be added to the list of more than 50 people and companies who are already subject to sanctions.

The Arab League's decision to suspend Syria marks the most serious diplomatic challenge to the regime since the pro democracy protests began eight months ago.

Mr Assad could previously rely on Syria's participation in the body to give his regime legitimacy in the face of growing western criticism.

But hopes that the Arab League move would convince Russia to abandon its support for the Assad regime have already been dashed.

Responding to the decision to suspend Syria, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused western nations of inciting demonstrators in Syria to demand the removal of the president.

Russia and China have previously blocked UN Security Council resolutions criticising Syria. The United Nations estimates that 3,500 people have been killed in the ongoing unrest.