Syrian govt. loyalists storm embassies

Tens of thousands of Syrian government loyalists have rallied in major cities in a second day of protests against an Arab League decision to suspend Syria. The Arab League suspended Syria for continuing a deadly crackdown on an opposition uprising. Syrian govt. loyalists storm embassies Syrian state television broadcast images of large pro-government crowds in Damascus, Aleppo and other cities on Sunday. Many of the demonstrators waved Syrian flags and held pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In a vote Saturday, the Arab League agreed to suspend Syria beginning Wednesday if the Assad government continues to ignore the regional bloc's call to engage in dialogue with the opposition and end the crackdown on the eight-month-old revolt. Assad loyalists angered by the Arab League's move stormed the Saudi and Qatar embassies in Damascus late Saturday, angered that both nations were among the 18 that voted in favor of suspending Syria in the 22-member body. Saudi Arabia condemned the assault on its embassy in the Syrian capital, saying it holds Damascus responsible for the security of all Saudi interests in the country. The official Saudi Press Agency says anti-Arab League protesters threw stones at the embassy building, smashed windows and ransacked offices. A large crowd also gathered outside Qatar's embassy and broke through the gates. Turkish news agency Anatolia says pro-Assad demonstrators also tried to break into the Turkish embassy in Damascus and Turkish consulates in Aleppo and Latakia. Turkey is not an Arab League member but has been strongly critical of neighboring Syria's use of force to suppress peaceful opposition protesters. Syria signed on to the Arab League plan for dialogue on November 2, but the violence has escalated, with more than 150 people killed in attacks by security forces on anti-Assad protesters and in deadly battles between the military and army defectors. The Arab League vote drew praise from the UN, the U.S. and Great Britain. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the move "strong and courageous" and welcomed the league's intention to provide protection for Syrian civilians. Ban said the world body is "ready to provide the relevant support when requested." U.S. President Barack Obama said the Arab League decision increased the diplomatic isolation of a government that has "flagrantly failed to keep its commitments" and "systematically violated human rights and repressed peaceful protests." British Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman reiterated a call by Western powers for Assad to step down after 11 years in power and allow a political transition to begin. Syria's Ambassador to the league Youssef Ahmed rejected the vote as illegal and contrary to the organization's charter. He said the Syrian government remained committed to fulfilling the Arab League peace plan. The UN human rights agency says at least 3,500 people have been killed in Syria in connection with anti-Assad protests, which have been under way since March. Syria blames much of the deadly violence on foreign-backed "terrorists" and extremists.

Syrian govt. loyalists storm embassies

Syrian state television broadcast images of large pro-government crowds in Damascus, Aleppo and other cities on Sunday. Many of the demonstrators waved Syrian flags and held pictures of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

In a vote Saturday, the Arab League agreed to suspend Syria beginning Wednesday if the Assad government continues to ignore the regional bloc's call to engage in dialogue with the opposition and end the crackdown on the eight-month-old revolt.

Assad loyalists angered by the Arab League's move stormed the Saudi and Qatar embassies in Damascus late Saturday, angered that both nations were among the 18 that voted in favor of suspending Syria in the 22-member body.

Saudi Arabia condemned the assault on its embassy in the Syrian capital, saying it holds Damascus responsible for the security of all Saudi interests in the country. The official Saudi Press Agency says anti-Arab League protesters threw stones at the embassy building, smashed windows and ransacked offices. A large crowd also gathered outside Qatar's embassy and broke through the gates.

Turkish news agency Anatolia says pro-Assad demonstrators also tried to break into the Turkish embassy in Damascus and Turkish consulates in Aleppo and Latakia. Turkey is not an Arab League member but has been strongly critical of neighboring Syria's use of force to suppress peaceful opposition protesters.

Syria signed on to the Arab League plan for dialogue on November 2, but the violence has escalated, with more than 150 people killed in attacks by security forces on anti-Assad protesters and in deadly battles between the military and army defectors.

The Arab League vote drew praise from the UN, the U.S. and Great Britain. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the move "strong and courageous" and welcomed the league's intention to provide protection for Syrian civilians. Ban said the world body is "ready to provide the relevant support when requested."

U.S. President Barack Obama said the Arab League decision increased the diplomatic isolation of a government that has "flagrantly failed to keep its commitments" and "systematically violated human rights and repressed peaceful protests." British Prime Minister David Cameron’s spokesman reiterated a call by Western powers for Assad to step down after 11 years in power and allow a political transition to begin.

Syria's Ambassador to the league Youssef Ahmed rejected the vote as illegal and contrary to the organization's charter. He said the Syrian government remained committed to fulfilling the Arab League peace plan.

The UN human rights agency says at least 3,500 people have been killed in Syria in connection with anti-Assad protests, which have been under way since March. Syria blames much of the deadly violence on foreign-backed "terrorists" and extremists.