A deadline passed on Friday for Syria to agree to allow 500 observers into the country, which leaves the Arab League with little recourse but to slam the Assad regime with some harsh sanctions. Reuters: A deadline set by the Arab League for Syria to sign a deal allowing monitors into the country expired on Friday without any Syrian response. Arab foreign ministers had said in Cairo on Thursday that unless Syria agreed to let the monitors in to assess progress of an Arab League plan to end eight months of bloodshed, officials would consider imposing sanctions on Saturday. These could include halting flights, curbing trade and stopping deals with the central bank. "The deadline has already ended, but the Arab League leaves the door open for Syria to reply by the end of the day and if a positive Syrian response comes on Friday, then the Arab League has no objection to agreeing to it," an Arab source said. These sanctions would leave Syria not only isolated diplomatically, but also...(Read Full Post)