CAIRO - The Arab League called for an end to bloodshed in Syria that has left thousands of casualties and urged respect for the Syrian people's right to see political, social and economic reforms.

In a statement issued after an extraordinary meeting of the Arab League's Council in Cairo, Arab foreign ministers decided to send the League's secretary-general to Damascus to try to mediate an end to the crisis.  

The Arab League said Syria's stability was crucial to the stability of the Arab world and the whole region.