The Arab League has given the Syrian government three days to halt violence against its people or face economic sanctions.
Following a meeting in Morocco, foreign ministers of the 22-member group said the organisation had almost reached the end of the line with President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
It said a group of experts is drafting plans to impose, as yet, unspecified sanctions if Syria did not stop the bloody repression of its own people.
Further intensifying the international pressure on Mr Assad to end his repression of eight months of protests, France withdrew its ambassador from Syria and Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Paris was working with the Arab League on a draft UN resolution.
Western countries have tightened sanctions on Syria and on Monday Jordan's King Abdullah became the first Arab head of state to urge Mr Assad to quit.
Syrian army defectors attacked an intelligence complex on the edge of Damascus in a high-profile assault yesterday that showed how close the popular uprising against Mr Assad's rule now is to sliding into armed conflict.
Last month Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning Damascus, but the Arab League's decision last weekend to suspend Syria has given international moves new momentum.
The Arab League has stopped short of calling for Mr Assad's departure or proposing any Libya-style military intervention.
Syrian authorities have banned most independent media. They blame the unrest on "armed terrorist gangs" and foreign-backed militants who they say have killed 1,100 soldiers and police.
Hundreds of people have been killed this month, one of the bloodiest periods of the revolt.
Syria says it remains committed to the Arab peace plan, which calls for the withdrawal of troops from urban areas, the release of prisoners and a dialogue with the opposition.
