Middle East
Syrian cabinet resigns amid unrest
Government resigns as part of promised reforms after two weeks of protests,
outgoing PM appointed caretaker premier.
Last Modified: 29 Mar 2011 12:55
Al Jazeera's Cal Perry reports on the continuing clashes between protesters and
police in Syria
Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, has accepted the resignation of the
country's government, following two weeks of anti-government protests that have
gripped Syria.
"President Assad accepts the government's resignation," an announcement on
state television said on Tuesday.
"Bashar al-Assad is the spine of Syria. Without him, our country will be pushed
into chaos"
Abu Khodr,
pro-government supporter
Naji al-Otari, the resigning premier, has been chosen by Assad as caretaker
prime minister.
The government has little power in Syria, where power is concentrated in the
hand of Assad, his family and the security apparatus. Otari has been prime
minister since 2003.
The 32-member cabinet will continue running the country's affairs until the
formation of a new government.
A new cabinet is to be formed in 24 hours, sources have told Al Jazeera.
Assad is expected to address the nation later on Tuesday in a speech which may
include a decision to abolish emergency laws.
More than 60 people have died since March 18 as security forces cracked down on
protesters, Human Rights Watch has said.
'Chaos'
Tuesday's announcement came as thousands of supporters of Assad poured into
central Damascus in a show of support for their leader.
Click here for more on our special coverage
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.
Al Jazeera's Rula Amin reports on the resignations
"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".
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.
At least 61 people were killed in 10 days of anti-government protests in
southern Daraa
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
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