In a separate development on Monday, the chief of the Arab League, Nabil al-Arabi, said UN efforts to help resolve the Syrian crisis had faltered.

BBC: Syria crisis: Suicide bomb 'kills dozens' in Hama province

Speaking to the BBC, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi reiterated that the league had not called for the arming of the Syrian opposition.

BBC: Syria authorities target children, says UN rights chief

In Egypt's al-Ahrar newspaper on Monday, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa was quoted as saying that the allegations that military supplies were entering Iraq from Syria would increase the volatility of the regional situation.

BBC: Colin Powell