SYRIA: Government agrees to halt violence.
Syria accepted an Arab League proposal Wednesday calling for it to withdraw armored vehicles from the streets and stop violence against protesters in a bid to end the country’s seven-month-long political crisis, an agreement that was met with deep skepticism by Syria’s opposition.
Qatar Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim urged Damascus to follow through with action on the ground amid concern that Syria has continued its bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Najib al-Ghadban, a U.S.- based Syrian activist and member of the opposition Syrian National Council, said implementation of the initiative would mean the end of the regime and that President Bashar Assad was unlikely to let that happen.
TUNISIA: 200 women demonstrate to defend rights.
Some 200 Tunisian women demonstrated Wednesday in downtown Tunis in defense of their rights, following the election victory of an Islamist party. Tunisia is known for some of the most progressive legislation in the Middle East regarding women’s rights — something many say is in danger after a moderate Islamist party took the most votes in the recent election.
EGYPT: 334 gain pardons.
Egypt’s ruling generals on Wednesday announced the pardon of 334 Egyptian civilians who were sentenced in military tribunals since the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in February. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces said the move was to support “the continued communication with the great Egyptian people and the youth of the revolution.” It did not say what those pardoned were sentenced for or when they would be released. It said the names would be released later.
Denver Post wire services
