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Arab unrest spreads to Syria, thousands march
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By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Thousands of Syrians demanded an end to 48 years of emergency law Sunday, a third consecutive day of protests emerging as the biggest challenge to Syria's rulers since unrest swept the Arab world this...
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By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
DAMASCUS |
Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:50am EDT
DAMASCUS (Reuters) - Thousands of Syrians demanded an end to 48 years of emergency law Sunday, a third consecutive day of protests emerging as the biggest challenge to Syria's rulers since unrest swept the Arab world this year.
"No. No to emergency law. We are a people infatuated with freedom," marchers chanted as a government delegation arrived in the southern town of Deraa to pay condolences for victims killed by security forces in demonstrations there this week.
Security forces fired tear gas at the protesters. Around 40 people were taken to be treated for gas inhalation at the main Omari mosque in the old city, residents said.
"The mosque is now a field hospital. The security forces know they cannot enter the old city without spilling more blood," one resident said.
Syria has been ruled under emergency law since the Baath Party, which is headed by president Bashar al-Assad, took power in a 1963 coup and banned all opposition.
Security forces opened fire Friday on civilians taking part in a peaceful protest in Deraa demanding the release of the children, political freedoms and an end to corruption. Four people were killed.
An official statement said "infiltrators" claiming to be high ranking officers had been visiting security stations and asking security forces to fire at any suspicious gathering.
Citizens should report anyone suspected of trying to fool the security apparatus "into using violence and live ammunition against any suspicions gathering," the statement said.
The government sought to calm popular discontent in Deraa by promising to release 15 schoolchildren whose arrests for scrawling protest graffiti had helped fuel the demonstrations.
The children who had written slogans on walls inspired by uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, would be released immediately.
Sunday's statement was a rare instance of Syria's ruling hierarchy responding to popular pressure.
Tens of people who were arrested Friday have been released, but scores more were still in jail, activists said.
Saturday, thousands of mourners called for "revolution" at the funeral of two of the protesters. Officials later met Deraa notables who presented then with a list of demands, most importantly the release of political prisoners.
The list demands the dismantling of the secret police headquarters in Deraa, dismissal of the governor, a public trial for those responsible for the killings and scrapping of regulations requiring permission from the secret police to sell and buy property.
ARRESTS Non-violent protests have challenged the Baath Party's authority this month, following the uprisings that toppled the autocratic leaders of Egypt and Tunisia, with the largest protests in Deraa drawing thousands of people.
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Comments (2)
ahmedinho wrote:
Syrian regime is as brutal as the Libyan, if not worse. An uprising against in 1982 resulted in the killing of 40,000 people in the city of Hama alone.
Mar 20, 2011 9:25am EDT -- Report as abuse
Curly wrote:
Obama should get an early start for primission to intervene in Syria. Oh, I forgot Syria dose not have any oil!
Mar 20, 2011 9:25am EDT -- Report as abuse
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