Assad is not backing down.
The Arab league attempted to work out negotiations between protesters and the regime in order to enact reforms demanded by the scattered rebels.
As long as Assad enjoys support from merchants and the military, the thinly-armed rebels up in arms across the country will little hope of forcing the Baathist dictator from power.
Security forces are still firing on innocents, media outlets are releasing more footage of young and old fighting back and getting killed, and diplomats around the world are demanding a cease-fire for humanitarian reasons.
Notwithstanding the hopes of many inside and outside of Syria, the internal conflicts ripping apart Syria do not look to be ending any time soon.