Syria and the Arab League

The Arab League has sent an "urgent message" to the Syrian government, denouncing "the continued killings of civilians" taking part in protests.

The league's ministerial committee on the Syrian crisis also urged Damascus to "take the necessary measures" to protect civilians.

The ministers also said that they had held "frank and friendly" talks with President Assad on Wednesday.

This is the same tone used by a parent in a supermarket to their small child as they slide down a shopping aisle on their stomach.

“Don’t do that Tarquin, otherwise mummy will get cross in a minute.”

If the videos just beginning to surface of Gaddafi’s capture, showing him being beaten, repeatedly stabbed in the arse with a knife and then finally being shot in the head don’t persuade Assad to go, somehow I don’t think that a ‘frank and friendly’ chat with the Arab League will do it.