Arab League to send leader to Damascus

DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Protests in Syria's capital city escalated as the Arab League said it plans to send its leader to Damascus to press the government to end the bloodshed.

Human rights activists reported dozens of protests in Damascus suburbs during the weekend, as well as shots being fired at protesters trying to march into the city itself, Britain's Financial Times reported Sunday.

Syria's Interior Ministry urged citizens not to participate in rallies or public gatherings "out of concern for their safety."

In its first official meeting since the Syrian uprising began in March, the Arab League Sunday said it would send Secretary-General Nabil al-Aribi to Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad to try to resolve the crisis.

A date hadn't been determined.

In its strongest statement yet on Syria, foreign ministers urged Assad to "end the bloodshed and resort to reason before it is too late."