Syria - Jan 28, 2012 - 20:19

The Arab League said it had suspended its monitoring mission in Syria because of "the critical deterioration of the situation" as fighting continues. 

Syria said it regretted and was surprised by the decision to halt its mission monitoring a peace plan in the country. 

"Syria regrets and is surprised at the Arab decision to stop the work of its monitoring mission after it asked for a one-month extension of its work," Syrian state television reported in an urgent news flash.