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Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Slideshow Video Full Focus Editor's choice A selection of our top photos from the past 48 hours. Full Article Follow Reuters Thousands in Syria chant "freedom" despite reform offer Tweet Share this By Suleiman al-Khalidi DERAA, Syria (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public pledge to look into granting Syrians greater freedom on Thursday as anger mounted following attacks by security forces on protesters that left at least 37... Email Print Related News Thousands of Syrians chant "freedom" at Deraa mosque Thu, Mar 24 2011 Syrian security forces leave main Deraa mosque Thu, Mar 24 2011 Syria opposition dismiss Assad response to protests Thu, Mar 24 2011 Assad forms team to improve incomes after protests Thu, Mar 24 2011 Syria arrests top free expression advocate Thu, Mar 24 2011 West should treat Syria, Iran like Libya: Israel Thu, Mar 24 2011 Germany urges Syria to halt violence, launch talks Thu, Mar 24 2011 Analysis & Opinion Why Western meddling in “Deathistan” needs to end The bitter truth behind BJP’s deafening budget silence Related Topics World » Related Video Syrian forces fire on protesters Thu, Mar 24 2011 1 / 3 Protesters drag away a body as it lies among others in a street during a demonstration in Deraa, March 23, 2011 and posted on a social media website. Credit: Reuters/Social Media Website via Reuters TV By Suleiman al-Khalidi DERAA, Syria | Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:00pm EDT DERAA, Syria (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad made a rare public pledge to look into granting Syrians greater freedom on Thursday as anger mounted following attacks by security forces on protesters that left at least 37 dead. Despite the promise and the offer of large public pay rises, thousands of Syrians turned out to chant "freedom, revolution" in the center of the southern city of Deraa, the focal point of protests against 48 years of Baath Party rule. "The Syrian people do not bow," they also chanted around the main Omari mosque, shortly after security forces evacuated the building which they stormed on Wednesday. Syrian opposition figures said the promises did not meet the aspirations of the people and were similar to those repeated at regular Baath Party conferences, where committees would be formed to study reforms that then never saw the light of day. "The leadership is trying to absorb the rage of the streets. We want to see reform on the ground," said a Deraa protester. A hospital official said at least 37 people had been killed in Deraa on Wednesday when security forces opened fire on demonstrators inspired by uprisings across the Arab world that have shaken authoritarian leaders. While an aide said Assad would study a possible end to 48 years of emergency rule, a human rights group said a leading pro-democracy activist, Mazen Darwish, had been arrested. Announcing promises for reform in a manner that would have seemed almost unimaginable three months ago in Syria, Assad adviser Bouthaina Shaaban told a news conference the president had not himself ordered his forces to fire on protesters: "I was a witness to the instructions of His Excellency that live ammunition should not be fired, even if the police, security forces or officers of the state were being killed." On Jan 31 Assad had said there was no chance political upheavals then shaking Tunisia and Egypt would spread to Syria. After Thursday's announcement, Syrian television showed a large procession of cars in Deraa driving in support of Assad with pictures of the president plastered on the vehicles. The Baath Party, which has ruled for half a century, will draft laws to provide for media freedoms, and will look at allowing other political movements. The party will also seek to lift living standards and consider ending the rule of emergency law. Authorities released all those arrested in the Deraa region since the protests erupted, an official statement said but it did not give a figure. The statement also said Assad ordered a 20 to 30 percent salary rise for public employees across Syria. DERAA KILLINGS "When you first hear it you think they're making major concessions, but when you look at it you realize there's not a lot there besides the salary boost," said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert at Oklahoma University in the U.S.. "You understand the regime is in a very difficult spot and they're flustered." 1 2 Next World Tweet this Share this Link this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Social Stream (What's this?) © Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. 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