Nearly 50 killed in Syria in one day

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the overall death toll was at least of 47 people as citizens clashed with President Bashar al-Assad's forces in the northern province of Idlib.

14 members of Assad's security died in a rebel ambush in the south.

The attacks continue in Syria, despite the Arab League's monitoring mission to start in two days in the war-torn country.

State news agency SANA said Assad had decreed the death penalty for anyone caught distributing arms "with the aim of committing terrorist acts."

On Monday, Syria signed a protocol to accept the monitors who will check its compliance with an Arab plan for an end to violence, withdrawal of troops from the streets, release of prisoners and dialogue with the opposition.

But pro-democracy activists are sceptical about Assad's commitment to the plan. Reuters reports that if implemented, the plan could embolden demonstrators demanding an end to his 11-year rule.