The Arab League claims there will be repercussions if Assad doesn't back down though it's difficult to imagine the Arab League being forceful. The positive side to the Arab League visit is that it helps provide some level of cover for the protests. The Guardian:
The largest demonstrations in Syria since the summer have laid siege to parts of Damascus and most key towns and cities, emboldened by Arab League monitors whose presence appeared to provide protesters with cover from regime gunmen. An estimated 500,000 people are thought to have taken to the streets across the country, with the largest and most defiant protests taking place in areas where the observers were present. The touring members of the Arab League states could not stop the bloodshed, however, with opposition groups claiming up to 31 people were killed nationwide. Almost all deaths were reportedly in areas that the 60-man delegation is yet to visit.Even with the Arab League observers there was 17 new deaths reported yesterday.
