Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said that Arab states would not allow "the continued massacre" of the Syrian people, adding that President Bashar Assad was unlikely to step down voluntarily.

Former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal said that Arab states would not allow "the continued massacre" of the Syrian people, adding that President Bashar Assad was unlikely to step down voluntarily.

Arab League was "not going to sit back and allow the continued massacre of the Syrian people", al-Faisal told a conference in Vienna.

"Sanctions have been imposed. I think more measures will be undertaken in the near future”, said al-Faisal who is seen as influential though no longer holding public office.

The AL last month imposed economical and financial sanctions on Syria for its alleged “crackdown on anti-government protests”.