DAMASCUS, Syria, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The Syrian government has been given a harsh reprimand from the Arab League for its military response to civilian demonstrators.
The alliance issued a statement Friday night denouncing President Bashar Assad's armed response to pro-democracy demonstrations that began in March.
The 22-member Arab League said its message to Assad was urgent, the BBC reported.
It came after reports that nearly 40 civilians were killed by Syrian troops in protests in the cities of Homs and Hama. The government said 17 soldiers had been killed by demonstrators.
Since the so-called Arab Spring series of pre-democracy protests began in North Africa and the Middle East, some 3,000 people in Syria have been killed in demonstrations, the broadcaster said.
International media has had to rely heavily on reports from aid and relief organizations, as the Syrian government has blocked out almost all journalists. The government has also shut down Internet access in Damascus, the report said.
