Burhan Ghalioun, the Paris-based leader of the Syrian National Council, made the plea as Arab League officials were setting up observer teams, part of their plan to end nine months of turmoil that has killed more than 5,000 people, according to the UN.
Opposition groups believe the Arab League is not strong enough to resolve the crisis, which is escalating beyond mass demonstrations into armed clashes — and a double suicide bombing that shook Damascus on Friday.
In a televised speech, Ghalioun said: "I call upon the Arab League to ask the Security Council to adopt its plan in order to increase possibilities of its success and avoid giving the regime an opportunity not to carry out its obligations."
He said the opposition council "holds the international community to its responsibilities and asks them to use all available means to put an end to the tragedies experienced by the Syrian people."
The Arab League has begun sending observers into Syria to monitor compliance with its plan to end to the crackdown on political opponents. The 22-member bloc has warned that it could turn to the UN Security Council to help stop the violence.
The Arab League plan requires the government to remove its security forces and heavy weapons from city streets, start talks with opposition leaders and allow human rights workers and journalists into the country. Syria agreed to the plan but has stalled implementation.
