Global Arab Network | Syrian opposition ready for more rallies

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Syrian opposition ready for more rallies

Global Arab Network - - Adam Turner

Friday, 01 April 2011 00:19

Syrian opposition ready for more rallies

Syrian opposition movements ready for more rallies across the country after Friday Muslim prayers, despite of authorities offering some promises.

"Our date is Friday, from all houses, all places of worship, every citizen and every free man, to all squares, for a free Syria," said a statement posted Thursday on Facebook group The Syria Revolution 2011.

President Bashar al-Assad is facing domestic pressure unprecedented in his 11-year rule as protests demanding greater freedoms in the country, which has been in a state of emergency for close to 50 years, enter their third week.

But the 45-year-old leader failed to announce the widely anticipated end of a state of emergency in his speech Wednesday -- his first appearance since the dissent broke out.

State-run news agency SANA reported however Thursday a string of reform measures, including plans to tackle the plight of some 300,000 Kurds who have been denied Syrian citizenship for close to half a century.

Assad has also ordered an immediate investigation into the Daraa and Latakia killings and the formation of a committee to draft new laws on national security and counter-terrorism, SANA said.

The committee will "pave the way for ending the state of emergency" and should complete its work by April 25, according to the news agency.

Gunfire broke out in Latakia immediately after Assad's speech Wednesday, with conflicting reports of the source of the shooting and unconfirmed reports of casualties.

Global Arab Network reports that UK Foreign Secretary calls for Syrian government to respect right of peaceful protest, for restraint, and for serious political reforms to be implemented without delay.

Commenting on the recent protests in Syria, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“I continue to watch the evolving situation in Syria closely, and am deeply concerned by continuing deaths and violence in Deraa and Latakia. Ahead of possible protests on Friday, I call on the Syrian government to uphold its responsibility to protect protesters and to respect the right of peaceful protest and free speech. I call for restraint, particularly from the Syrian security forces.

I note the announcement of committees to study repeal of the Emergency Law, and to review the 1962 census that resulted in many Kurds in Syria being excluded from Syrian citizenship. I believe it is important for the Syrian government to address the legitimate demands of the Syrian people. I call for serious political reforms to be brought forward and implemented without delay”.

Amnesty International's deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa Philip Luther said Assad "should be addressing the real problem -- which is that his security forces have been firing live ammunition on protesters, killing dozens over the last month."

Syrian authorities have accused Muslim fundamentalists of seeking to incite sectarian-based unrest in Syria by pushing peaceful protests into violence.

Washington has said Assad's speech "fell short", while Republican Senator John McCain and Independent Senator Joe Lieberman urged US President Barack Obama to back the opposition against Assad.

Global Arab Network

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