Syria 'agree to' Arab League scrutinizing job

Syria has determined to believe an Arab League task to observe the accomplishment of peace suggestions aimed at ending bloodshed, a Syrian diplomatic source has confirmed.

The source, who desired to remain unidentified, said Damascus had already told the League of the conclusion.

The source said some modifications were being finalized, but "they were not intended to hold back the mission".

The League on Wednesday provided Syria three days to consent or face sanctions.

The Arab League task, drawn up earlier this month, calls on Syria to pull out tanks from agitated cities, stop its attacks on demonstrators and connect in negotiations with the opposition forces within two weeks.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad approved to the plan, but failed to respect it.

In excess of 370 people have been murdered since then, say rights groups, in what shows to be the bloodiest month in the eight-month unrest.

The UN says more than 3,500 people have killed since demonstrations began in March. Syrian officials accuse the aggression on armed groups and insurgents.

The Arab League officially deferred Syria on Wednesday.

The Syrian source told that the Syrian authorities had transmitted the message to the Arab League on Thursday.

The political source said Syrian acknowledgement was question to some modifications designed to secure what he called "the country's independence and dignity".

Authorities do not want it to be called a spectator mission, but say calling it an Arab League mission would be suitable, says our Middle East editor.

The modifications, the source said, do not influence at the will of the mission.

He said "there are no deceptions, we don't desire to delay them. The ball is now in the court of the Arab League".

The Syrians are doubtful of Saudi purposes but they are ready to play the diplomatic game, the source told. The question now is whether the alterations will be suitable to the Arab League itself, our correspondent says.

Saudi Arabia sees the calamity in Syria as an opportunity to destabilize President Assad's Iranian partners and might not want to take the pressure off Damascus, he adds.

If Syria is observed as playing for time or attempting to weaken the mission it may get a negative response.