Vivvo CMS 4.1 PRI: Public Radio International http://www.pri.org/ ©2010 Spoonlabs d.o.o. PRI: Public Radio International http://www.pri.org/files.php?file=rss_682409203.gif http://www.pri.org/ Syrian officials reject call to stand aside as country veers toward civil war http://www.pri.org/stories/world/middle-east/syrian-officials-reject-call-to-stand-aside-as-country-veers-toward-civil-war-8075.html Middle East Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:59:00 -0600 The violent protests in Syria have claimed at least 5,000 lives, according to United Nations estimates. So far, efforts to end the violence have been completely unsuccessful and President Bashar al-Assad on Monday rejected a call to step down. PRI: Public Radio International