Further sanctions and withdrawal of member state Ambassadors were the only real options available to the Arab League, but it is significant as well as unprecedented step. The Arab League has followed through with another dose of credibility after its actions earlier this year against Colonel Gaddafi’s regime in Libya. New Chief Shaping Arab League as Institution-Establishing Precedents, Breaking Away from Old Methodology: The new Arab League Chief Nabil Elaraby has been both active and transparent in moving forward with respect to Syria. He has worked in able coordination with Qatar's Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim, (Photo with the two men in focus), who has also moved his country into more assertive mode in global politics. While urging League action, Elaraby acknowledged the lack of precedent, unanimity and functional measures that could be pursued. Nonetheless, Syria will be suspended effective 4 days - November 16, 2011 or until the Assad regime honors its previous commitments - even as consensus had been the methodology of Arab League action in the past. The suspension did not have unanimous approval - Syria, Yemen and Lebanon voted against and Iraq abstained. Syria objected that the move was illegal, but the suspension was nonetheless adopted formally by the Arab League, another precedent. In suspending the Assad regime’s Syria, the Arab League has perhaps shot its arsenal. However, this will most critically increase pressure for further action at the UN and its Security Council where particularly Russia and China have been reluctant. The new sanctions called upon by the Arab League will necessitate further UN action to be more effective. (Read - "SYRIA NO ACTION from UN SECURITY COUNCIL" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/syria-no-action-from-un-security-council-by-ambassador-mo/32880). It may also open further consideration before the International Criminal Court. (Read -SYRIA INVESTIGATION of HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/syria-investigation-human-rights-abuses-by-ambassador-mo/34693). Arab League: “Toothless Bulldog” or With Real Bark & Bite? This is significant for Syria. Perhaps as critically for the progress of change in the Arab world, the League is becoming more than an inert club. The Arab League has been vocal in the past in defending member state interests, as in the conflicts with Israel. Now, it has taken a critical step toward responsibility as well as advocacy. The character and contributions of its new Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby – a highly respected diplomat, international law expert and International Court of Justice judge – (read “Elaraby: New ARAB LEAGUE Head Right Choice for the Times” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/new-arab-league-head-right-choice-for-the-times-by-ambassador-mo/28411), have been critical for League’s evolution. As one of our readers , Mohamed Moge Issack, observed “Arab league is toothless bulldog it has no meaning for 21 country members Arab league should desolve itself.” Well, perhaps this "dog" at least has barked loudly today to be taken note of and with an alarm that could still be heard and raise significant consequences at UN and ICC. Next step, to go beyond being seen as toothless or a “dog” by a global as well as Arab audience/citizens.Is next test Yemen? By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX "WarCrimesJustice" Channel diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice