Well, in Syria, the president there has promised
to consider reforms after a week of violent protest
in the southern city of Daraa
But that hasn't stopped protesters, who have called
for country-wide demonstrations on Friday
Thousands of the people were on the streets on Thursday
to mourn people they say were shot during
the government's crackdown.
There are reports that Bashar al-Assad will speak to the nation
within the next few hours to try
to calm the situtation.
Rula Amin joins me now from Damascus.
Rula, as we say, the president expected to address
his population. He has offered some quite substantial
concessions, but they don't seem to be—
or we don't know yet
—whether they're going to have an impact
on the day's protests.
Yes, it remains to be seen. However, we did speak
to many Syrians, including the people in Daraa.
And, the response to these measures is mixed.
Now, the activists, and the hardcore opposition activists
are very skeptical
and they say these are just lip service, and
won't change much. Others do give the president
the benefit of the doubt, and they say this
is a good start. Let's give him some time.
Maybe it will materialize.
And, maybe there will be change in Syria
without having, or forcing the people
to go into the street.
We have to remember, the protests have been
confined to Daraa despite seven days
of very strong clashes, where dozens were killed.
The capital remained quiet,
and so have the rest of the Syrian towns.
Now, today, it's going to be a challenge
and a test, both for the activists and the opposition, and the government.
If the people take to the streets in other towns,
maybe the concessions are too late.
If they don't, it means the president has managed
to contain the crisis in Daraa,
and that some of the people, some Syrians at least
have bought his line, and are giving him time
and putting some faith in these new measures.
But, the fact that the measures have been offered
at all Rula, to put this into context for us,
how surprising is that, given that this is a regime
which has a history of heavy handed brutal crackdowns
on any kind of uprising?
Yes, six months ago, nobody would have dreamt
that these kinds of concessions would have
been made in Syria, but by a month ago it seemed
very logical.
Now, I arrived here on Sunday, and the minute
I arrived, it was obvious that both the people
the Syrian people and the government
realize that change is coming to Syria,
and the government knows it cannot continue
with its old ways.
And, the president had made it clear
he understands the need to reform
and he will do it.
The people want it now, they want it serious
they want it meaningful, and they don't want to wait.
And, there's a race with time.
Now, some people believe that the president
himself wants to change, but he is surrounded by
a group of people, or the system itself,
that's not allowing him to do what he wants to do.
This is kind of giving him the benefit of the doubt.
The protest in Syria, in Daraa, added more
pressure on the government, and made the government
feel that it's very urgent to act now
before it's too late.
So, for now, it seems the president is keen
to contain the crisis in Syria
and he's determined.
People want to make sure he's also determined
to bring change to Syria, not just to contain the crisis.
And, of course, we will be following
the developments there with you Rula.
Thanks very much indeed, for now Rulla, in Damascus.