BEIJING, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- The Arab League has suspended its monitoring mission in Syria because of worsening violence. Syria has expressed "regret and astonishment" over the decision.

　　The Arab League made the decision on Saturday, just days after calling on President Assad to step down and make way for a national unity government.

　　An Arab League official says the organization is expected soon to discuss the possibility of withdrawing monitors completely. Meanwhile the Syrian government says it regrets the decision.

　　The country’s state television quoted a government official saying the Arab League’s decision is aimed at imposing more pressure on the United Nations Security Council, in order to encourage foreign intervention in Syria. But Damascus reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to making the observer mission a success and to protecting the observers.

　　(Source: CNTV.cn)