Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a general amnesty on Tuesday. The pardon, the second of its kind in three weeks, includes anyone who committed crimes until June 20, the state news agency SANA said. After the first amnesty, Syrian authorities released hundreds of political prisoners.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Syrians turned out for pro-Assad demonstartions across the country in support of the regime and Assad's speech on Monday. State television showed rallies in Aleppo, Damascus, and the southern city of Deraa.
On its part, the Syrian Prime Ministry announced on Tuesday that the preliminary draft of the bill for a new political parties law was posted on the Internet. "The bill was posted in order for citizens to view it and provide their observations and suggestions to help enrich, develop and complete the final draft," the announcement said.
