Major government reforms loom in Syria

Government to resign as part of promised reforms following violent protests, sources tell Al Jazeera. Last Modified: 29 Mar 2011 11:08

Al Jazeera's Cal Perry reports on the continuing clashes between protesters and police in Syria The Syrian government is expected to resign on Tuesday and a new cabinet is to be formed in 24 hours, following weeks of anti-government protests in the country, sources have told Al Jazeera. "The cabinet will resign," Al Jazeera's Cal Perry said from the capital, Damascus, on Tuesday, citing government officials. "Our senior producer here on the ground has been speaking with senior government officials and they do confirm that the government will be resigning tonight as part of the reforms that will be pushed through." "There will be a parliamentary session tonight at 6pm," he added. "If the president speaks - and it's still a big if - then he would then speak from the parliament to the people. Certainly, I think that is what people want to see; they want to hear from the president." The news came as thousands of supporters of president Bashar al-Assad poured into central Damascus in a show of support for their leader. On Tuesday, all roads leading to Sabeh Bahrat ("Seven Seas") square in the capital were cut off by police armed with batons, as the crowd raised Syrian flags and pictures of Assad. "The people want Bashar al-Assad," they chanted in unison. "Bashar al-Assad is the spine of Syria. Without him, our country will be pushed into chaos," said a man who identified himself as Abu Khodr. Our correspondent said pro-government protests were also taking place in other cities. "There are [pro-government] protesters coming from across the country. And there are protests not only here in Damascus but across the country." Syria has been gripped by a wave of deadly dissent since mid-March which has put Assad under unprecedented pressure as protesters call for reforms. Expected reforms Last week, Bouthaina Shaaban, the senior adviser to the president, announced a number of reforms that would take place shortly. "One of the key things she said was there are no red lines. Everything is up for negotiations to the president of Syria," our correspondent said. "The parliament has been in meetings ever since [the announcement] dealing with some of those reforms, at times asking the president's office to clarify exactly what these reforms will be. "We do expect the parliament, potentially tonight, will announce that these reforms have been accepted. At that point the cabinet will resign as part of the reforms and potentially we could end up hearing from the Syrian president Bashar al Assad." Our correspondent emphasised: "the people are asking for reforms, not necessarily for the president to step down". Click here for more on our special coverage Tuesday's developments come after a pledge by Syrian authorities to lift the state of emergency in force since the ruling Baath party took power in 1963. "We know the emergency law will be lifted, that is confirmed ... the question is when will that happen," our correspondent said. Lawyers say the emergency law has been used by authorities to ban protests, justify arbitrary arrests and closed courts and give free rein to the secret police. Last week, the state also announced other reforms, including the release of detainees and plans to form new laws on the media and licensing political parties. Protest violence Meanwhile, protests have grown increasingly violent across the country, with scores being killed in the recent unrest. On Monday, security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition into the air to disperse hundreds of protesters in Daraa, who were demanding an end to the emergency laws. They also called for the release of thousands of political prisoners and for Assad to allow freedom of speech and assembly and curb the free reign the security apparatus enjoys in the country of 22 million. At least 61 people were killed in 10 days of anti-government protests in southern Daraa. On Sunday, security forces were deployed to the northern city of Latakia after violent protests left at least 12 people dead. And in Sanamin on Friday, at least 10 people were killed at a protest. Such demonstrations would have been unthinkable a couple of months ago in Syria, but it now faces the wave of Arab revolutionary sentiment which has toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia. Assad, who became president after the death of his father in 2000, has been criticised by the West and even close ally Turkey, Syria's northern neighbour, for using violence against peaceful protesters. The president has yet to respond to the demonstrations, but Farouq al-Shara, his vice-president, said the president would give an important speech shortly.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies