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| Syria: Bashar al-Assad 'grants general amnesty' | Syria: Bashar al-Assad 'grants general amnesty' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree granting a general amnesty, state media say. | Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has issued a decree granting a general amnesty, state media say. |
| The amnesty would cover political opposition movements, including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the reports said. | The amnesty would cover political opposition movements, including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, the reports said. |
| President Assad has faced months of protests against his rule. | President Assad has faced months of protests against his rule. |
| Authorities have cracked down on demonstrators, killing more than 1,000 people and arresting thousands more, according to human rights groups. | Authorities have cracked down on demonstrators, killing more than 1,000 people and arresting thousands more, according to human rights groups. |
| The government has also offered some political concessions, but protesters have dismissed these as largely cosmetic. | The government has also offered some political concessions, but protesters have dismissed these as largely cosmetic. |
| Late on Tuesday, state TV repeatedly flashed an "urgent" caption announcing the amnesty. | |
| "President Assad grants a general pardon for the crimes committed before 31 May," it said. | |
| "The pardon includes all those who belong to political movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood." | |
| The announcement came as army forces were reported to be attacking two towns in central Syria where protests have continued. | |
| The BBC's Jim Muir reports from neighbouring Lebanon that the amnesty had been anticipated. | |
| It is also expected that Syrian authorities will launch an attempt at national dialogue in the next few days, he says. | |
| In March, shortly before protests escalated, President Assad issued an amnesty for those convicted of minor crimes and prisoners over the age of 70. | In March, shortly before protests escalated, President Assad issued an amnesty for those convicted of minor crimes and prisoners over the age of 70. |