SYRIA: France lashes out at Assad as 12 more deaths reported.
Syrian forces fired on funeral processions and clashed with army defectors Saturday, killing at least 12 people as France called on the international community to “save the Syrian people.”
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry said France was “deeply concerned” and warned Syrian authorities that they will be held responsible for any action against the population.
Despite the bloodshed, President Bashar Assad has refused to buckle to the pressure to step down and has shown no signs of easing his crackdown.
YEMEN: 35-member unity government takes power.
A national unity government was sworn in Saturday in Yemen as part of a deal for the country’s embattled president to step down after nearly a year of protests against his rule and a crackdown that has killed hundreds.
The 35-member administration is made up of an almost equal number of opposition and loyalist ministers, among them nine who served in the previous Cabinet. The government’s first main task will be to push through a law shielding President Ali Abdullah Saleh from prosecution for alleged corruption and for the violence against protesters — a key condition under the deal for him to relinquish power after 33 years. Denver Post wire services
