Syria OK's Arab League proposal to ease crisis

CAIRO - The Arab League says Syria has accepted an Arab League proposal to ease the country's 7-month-old political crisis.

The proposal calls on Syria to withdraw all tanks and armored vehicles from the streets, stop violence against protesters, release all political prisoners and begin a dialogue with the opposition within two weeks.

Syria also agreed to allow journalists, rights groups and Arab League representatives to monitor the situation in Syria.

It remains unclear if the agreement will make a difference on the ground. Syria has continued its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters despite international condemnation and previous promises of reform.

The U.N. says some 3,000 people have been killed since the revolt began in March.

The agreement comes on the same day that machine-gun fire and explosions erupted inside a Syrian city at the heart of the uprising as activists reported two grisly attacks that killed at least 20 people in the past 24 hours.