November 2, 2011 — The Arab League adopts a plan of action for Syria and welcomes the Syrian government's agreement to the plan. It emphasizes the need for Damascus to keep its pledge and stop the violent suppression of a 10-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
November 24, 2011 — The 22-member bloc requests that it deploy the Observer Mission to Syria in order to fulfill its mandate.
December 19, 2011 — Syria and the Arab League sign the protocol, calling for the establishment and deployment of the mission comprising of civilian and military experts from Arab countries and Arab non-governmental human rights organizations.
December 20, 2011 — The League's Council approves Sudanese General Muhammad Ahmad Mustafa Al-Dabi as the head of the mission.
December 22, 2011 — an advance Arab League delegation visits Syria to discuss the logistical preparations for the mission.
December 24, 2011 — General Dabi arrives in Damascus and holds meetings with the government. Syria says it is prepared to fully cooperate with the mission and to ensure its success. The general meets with the observers and briefs them on their duties and bases of their work.
December 26, 2011 — The monitors, divided into 15 zones and dispatched to 20 cities and districts across Syria, begin their mission.
January 11, 2012 — A French reporter is killed in Homs and an Algerian member of the mission resigns.
January 12, 2012 — More Arab League observers are reported leaving Syria to protest the ongoing deadly crackdown on protesters.
January 22, 2012 — 28 Arab leaders meet in Cairo, recommend extending the mission for another month, and agree on a new initiative for President Assad to step down and allow the formation of a national unity government. Saudi Arabia announces the withdrawal of its observers to protest what it calls the Syrian government's failure to respect the Arab League peace plan.
January 23, 2012 — Syria rejects the initiative, calling it a “flagrant” violation of Syrian sovereignty.
January 24, 2012 — The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council urges the U.N. Security Council to force Syria to comply with the Arab League proposals. The council says its members are withdrawing from the observer mission to protest what they call Damascus' failure to honor pledges to stop suppressing the revolt.
January 28, 2012 — The Arab League suspends the mission in Syria, citing an upsurge of violence.
