While the deadline for sanctions is nearing, Assad's troops continue to fight back against the rebels, including military defectors. Neither side is showing signs of backing down though the momentum has to be with the rebels who continue to grow and to fight despite repression by Assad's goons. The Guardian:
In Cairo, the Arab League gave President Bashar al-Assad another 24 hours to accept observers to monitor the violence or face economic sanctions, generating criticism that the pan-Arab organisation was being too slow and too lenient after suspending Syria last week.
Five of the latest victims were killed in Homs, according to the opposition network of local co-ordination committees. Demonstrators were out in the Baba Amr district of the city on Thursday night, calling for the overthrow of the regime.
Security personnel snatched the body of one young man, Sarhan Tarek, who was killed by their gunfire, the LCC said.
The Syrian Revolution General Commission said it had counted 24 dead, including a woman and a child, by nightfall.
