The Arab League, meeting in Cairo Sunday, renewed its call for the Syrian government to halt violence against civilians. The ministers said the league would keep its ongoing mission to Damascus, despite critics who say it has been ineffective in stopping civilian deaths, the BBC reported. About 5,000 civilians have been killed since protests began against President Bashar Assad 10 months ago, the United Nations said. The BBC reported 20 deaths Sunday, and more than 100 during the past three days in government crackdowns against protesters. The Arab League mission has been in Syria since late December.