The Arab League has given Syria three days to end an eight-month-old crackdown on protests and allow in teams of observers, or face economic sanctions. Meanwhile, the League has confirmed the suspension of Syria's membership.

The Arab League foreign ministers issued the three-day deadline to the Syrian government, following their emergency meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

Intensifying pressure on President Bashar al-Assad, the ministers also announced that they have asked an expert panel to draft a plan for possible economic sanctions on Syria.

The Arab League decisions came as Syria's suspension from the regional organization took effect.

The suspension, first announced on Saturday, is a surprisingly harsh and unusual move for a member of Syria's standing.

Qatari Foreign Minister says Syria is being offered the chance to end violence against civilians and implement the peace plan outlined by the Arab League earlier this month. The plan involves sending a League delegation to monitor the Syrian government’s compliance.

Qutari Foreign Minister Hamid Bin Jassim said: "The acceptance of the protocol on the mission of an Arab League delegation to oversee the implementation of the decisions of the Arab League to end the Syrian crisis in order to stop the killing in Syria and in order to respect the hopes of the people and to help the economic situation and to stop the bloodshed and avoid an international intervention."

The protocol calls for an observer mission of 30 to 50 members to ensure that Syria is following the peace plan. It urges the country to halt its attacks on protesters, pull tanks and armored vehicles out of cities, release political prisoners, and allow journalists and rights groups into the country.