Western diplomats said full support for the Arab League would have implied that Mr. Assad would step aside, as that is a key part of the plan.

the U.S. has long endorsed the NATO response force, it balked at making a tangible troop contribution, citing the demands of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ambulances rushed in and out of the crowd as demonstrators broke sidewalk pavement to use as rocks to lob at the police.

Israeli officials this week raised the threat of a potential Israeli military attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.