Syria to allow Arab monitors, 100 dead in violence - BASSEM MROUE

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzCl-iqBIDLAF9ZOPNCgKgieyNOA?docId=4c9b6c00217a4710977c7e3813c1ec67

Pressure from Syria's longtime ally Russia clearly played a role in the decision to allow observers.
Al-Moallem suggested that Damascus had agreed to sign on the advice of Russia, a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council. Two months ago, Russia and China vetoed a Western-backed Security Council resolution condemning the bloodshed in Syria. But Moscow said last week it would work on a draft resolution at the U.N. that criticizes Syria for using disproportionate force against protesters....

Activists said security forces killed up to 70 army defectors Monday as they were deserting their military posts near the Turkish border. At least 30 other people died in other violence across the country, the activists said. If accurate, it would be one of the heaviest daily tolls of the entire revolt.

Whatever Syria looks like after this uprising subsides, I will wager that Assad will look a lot like Qhaddafi does right now.