Syria Calls for Arab Summit

Syria called for an urgent Arab summit Sunday to discuss the country’s eight-month uprising. The Arab League voted to suspend Syria’s membership Saturday over the country’s brutal crackdown against pro-democracy protesters. The crisis has heightened tensions between Syria and its neighbors, with Turkey evacuating nonessential personnel after Syrian crowds attacked several embassies Saturday night. Activists reported at least 14 people killed in shootings by security forces in other parts of the country. On Saturday, the Arab League said it would enact economic and political sanctions against Syria for its failure to implement a peace plan, and voted to bar Syria from its meetings. Eighteen of 22 countries voted for Syria’s suspension, which begins Wednesday. The U.N. estimates Syrian forces have killed nearly 3,500 of their own citizens since democratic protests began in March.

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