The Arab League has voted to rejected Syria from its meetings and impose sanctions against Damascus over its failure to end a government crackdown on protesters.
It is asked member countries to call back their ambassadors, and urged Damascus to end violence against protesters.
The vote came after Syria ignored an Arab League proposal envisaging the start of dialogue with the opposition.
But Syria's representative said the decision violated the league's charter.
Youssef Ahmed told Syrian state TV said it showed the league was "performing a Western and American agenda".
US President Barack Obama imposed the decision, and vowed to support the Syrian people "in the face of the regime's callous violence".
In London, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said the continuing disturbance was "deplorable and must stop".
The Arab League proposals - agreed by the government of President Bashar al-Assad - include the release of prisoners, the withdrawal of security forces from the streets and talks between the government and opposition.
But the violence has remained same, with the city of Homs bearing the brunt, say human rights activists. Twelve people died on Saturday.
US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report this week documenting allegations of torture and unlawful killings of people in the city, and called on the Arab League to step up pressure on Damascus.
President Assad has sought to put down the protests since March. The UN says about 3,500 people have died in the protests so far.
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