Protests continue in Syria despite Assad’s reform assurance
April 17th, 2011 - 1:36 pm ICT by ANIDamascus, Apr 17 (ANI): Syrian protestors are continuing with their protests against the 11-year rule of President Bashar al-Assad despite his assurances of bringing an end to the country’s 48-year-old emergency law and instigating further reforms.
Addressing his new cabinet, al-Assad said that restrictions would be lifted by the end of the week.
“Citizens need security and services, but also dignity. We want to engage in dialogue with the unions and with national organisations,” he said, directing ministers to become more accountable and humble.
He further blamed the ongoing protests as part of a conspiracy, and added that stability remains his top priority, but reform is needed to strengthen the country, The Guardian reports.
Syria’s protest movement, however, surged on Friday as thousands of people marched on Damascus from surrounding areas.
Rejecting Assad’s move as too little, too late, protestors said that the ongoing arrests and a state media campaign to blame violence on armed gangs was deliberately inciting anger towards demonstrators. (ANI)
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Tags: anger, armed gangs, assurances, bashar al assad, conspiracy, damascus, demonstrators, dialogue, dignity, emergency law, guardian, media campaign, national organisations, new cabinet, president bashar, protest movement, protestors, protests, syria, top priority