Qatar asserts its diplomatic presence

The prime minister of Qatar and the head of the Arab League have urged the UN Security Council to take swift action to stem the escalating violence in Syria and to endorse an Arab plan for Syria's president to give up power.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al Thani warned the 15-nation body that Syria's "killing machine is still at work".

The tiny Gulf state of Qatar is one of the main forces behind the Arab League peace plan pushing for President Bashar al-Assad to step aside.

But as Al Jazeera's James Bays reports, its stance is causing growing controversy amongst its Arab neighbours.