The Syrian authorities are considering revoking a 50-year state of emergency that enables security forces to arrest innocent people, presidential adviser Buthaina Shaaban said on Thursday.
The Syrian leadership also promised to implement economic and political reform in the country, where protesters have been demanding change since March 15.
Human rights groups say over 100 people were killed when security forces used live ammunition, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to suppress an uprising in the southern city of Deraa.
A recent wave of unrest across North Africa and the Middle East has toppled authoritarian regimes in Tunisia and Egypt and sparked civil war in Libya. Popular protests have also reached Yemen, Bahrain and Algeria.
DAMASCUS, March 24 (RIA Novosti)