Syrian Forces Tighten Grip Ahead of Protests
Syrian security forces have been deployed in the central city of Homs, ahead of nationwide anti-government protests planned for Friday.
Witnesses Thursday said soldiers and plain-clothed security forces have taken positions around the city, which has been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police.
Homs has been the epicenter of the protest movement and the target of a violent government crackdown. Activists say several protesters were killed Tuesday when security forces opened fire on a sit-in demonstration in Homs. Another 12 people were killed in clashes Sunday.
Syrian state media reports President Bashar al-Assad named a new governor of Homs province Thursday, Ghassan Mustafa Abdul-Aal, two weeks after he fired the previous governor.
The embattled president has promised a number of planned reforms to try to meet the demands of protesters, but has failed to stop the opposition movement.
On Tuesday, the government passed a bill lifting nearly 50 years of emergency rule which banned demonstrations and restricted the media.
fuente: http://www.voanews.com/
Witnesses Thursday said soldiers and plain-clothed security forces have taken positions around the city, which has been the scene of deadly clashes between pro-democracy protesters and police.
Homs has been the epicenter of the protest movement and the target of a violent government crackdown. Activists say several protesters were killed Tuesday when security forces opened fire on a sit-in demonstration in Homs. Another 12 people were killed in clashes Sunday.
Syrian state media reports President Bashar al-Assad named a new governor of Homs province Thursday, Ghassan Mustafa Abdul-Aal, two weeks after he fired the previous governor.
The embattled president has promised a number of planned reforms to try to meet the demands of protesters, but has failed to stop the opposition movement.
On Tuesday, the government passed a bill lifting nearly 50 years of emergency rule which banned demonstrations and restricted the media.
fuente: http://www.voanews.com/
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