Syrian Government Hopes To Abate Protests With Promise Of Reform

As government protests in Syria continue, President Bashar al-Assad has agreed to lift the nation’s current state of emergency law, which has been in effect for 48 years, according to a variety of media reports.

Hoping to end more than a month of demonstrations, the Assad government has also granted its citizens civil liberties, diminished the power of the police, and outlawed certain courts. 

However, in a warning issued by the Interior Ministry, further protests of any nature have been forbidden.

The Assad government solidified its position by sending soldiers and security forces to quell demonstrations in Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, late Monday night.

According to the Syrian Human Rights Information Link, three protestors have been killed.

The New York Times has reported that, as of Tuesday, the square is empty and shops in the city are closed.