Friday, March 25, 2011

Syria braces for 'day of dignity' rallies

Activists have called for "Day of Dignity" rallies at mosques across Syria on Friday, despite a reform pledge by the government.

Officials have been on the defensive after protesters in the southern city of Daraa were shot dead by police.

Syria announced that it would "study" ending emergency rule - in place since 1963 - and look into legalising political parties, a presidential adviser has said, after a week of deadly protests in the country's south. "I am happy to announce to you the decisions made by the Arab Baath party under the auspices of President Bashar al-Assad ... which include ... studying the possibility of lifting the emergency law and licensing political parties," Buthaina Shaaban, the Syrian president's media adviser, said on Thursday.
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