The Arab League says it is suspending its observer mission in Syria due to an upsurge of violence in the country.

But Arab League officials said Saturday observers will stay in Syria until further notice.

The mission has been in Syria for the past month to monitor the Syrian regime's deadly crackdown on dissent. The Arab League has put forth a plan calling for President Bashar al-Assad to transfer power to a deputy and form a national unity government to prepare for elections.

More than 70 people have been killed in Syria in recent days. Activists said government forces killed more than 37 people in attacks on Friday.

The head of the Arab League mission said Friday violence has escalated in Syria since Tuesday, especially in the flashpoint cities of Homs and Hama, and in the northern Idlib region.

Arab League secretary-general Nabil ElAraby and the prime minister of Qatar plan on Tuesday to brief the U.N. Security Council about the league's mission in Syria, which has been plagued by difficulties and has come under criticism.

The Arab League also is expected next week to formally present its plan to the Security Council for regime change and a national unity government in Syria. A vote is expected soon after.

The United Nations says violence linked to the unrest in Syria has killed more than 5,400 people, including nearly 400 children. But the U.N. said this week it has stopped compiling a death toll because it is too hard to obtain information.