Syrian troops withdraw from protest cities

Syrian officials say troops and tanks are being pulled out of the cities of Baniyas and Deraa after operations to quell anti-government protests. Officials also said a "comprehensive national dialogue" on the unrest would begin in all provinces next week. Syrian troops withdraw from protest cities It comes after at least six people were killed as thousands attended anti-government protests after Friday prayers, human rights activists said. The figure is much lower than after recent similar protests. Syrian activists say at least 700 people have been killed in a crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, in response to protests against his rule that began two months ago. The UN high commissioner for human rights spokesman has described that figure as credible. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it fears hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people have been detained in Syria in recent weeks. Reports from Syria are hard to verify independently as foreign journalists are not allowed into the country. The Syrian government says it is pursuing "armed terrorist gangs", which it blames for the deaths of about 98 soldiers and members of the security services nationwide, and 22 police officers. Confirming the troop withdrawal, Information Minister Adnan Hassan Mahmoud said army units had completed their pullout from the southern city of Deraa and started a gradual withdrawal from the coastal city of Baniyas. He also promised that "the coming days will witness a comprehensive national dialogue" in all Syrian provinces. Assad would meet with "popular delegations" from around the country and listen to "their opinions, demands, and visions about what has currently been taking place in Syria", Mahmoud said. Residents of Deraa said there were still tanks outside mosques after the conclusion of Friday prayers and that troops had fired into the air to disperse a large demonstration. Information from residents of Baniyas suggested that hundreds of troops were still there during Friday. Before Friday prayers, which have become a rallying point for protesters in Syria as they have in several other Arab countries in recent months, an opposition leader said the president had promised troops would not fire on protesters. Presidential Adviser Buthaina Shaaban made a similar statement when demonstrations began in mid-March. As Friday prayers came to an end, reports started to come in of protest marches leaving mosques in many parts of the country. Some protesters carried banners or flags with "freedom" written on them while others were reported to chant: "We want the overthrow of the regime." Despite the apparent pledge of restraint, three people were killed in the country's third largest city, Homs, when security forces opened fire on demonstrators. Homs has been the scene of a major military operation since Monday. Areas of the city have been shelled by tanks, and troops have been conducting house-to-house searches and arrests to find or intimidate protesters. Two people were killed in al-Qaboun, a northern suburb of the capital Damascus, activists said, when plainclothes gunmen opened fire on protesters. Activists also said one person was killed in a village outside Deraa, the epicenter of the anti-government unrest. Protests elsewhere in the country were broken up by security forces using tear gas, water cannons and batons.

Syrian troops withdraw from protest cities

It comes after at least six people were killed as thousands attended anti-government protests after Friday prayers, human rights activists said.

The figure is much lower than after recent similar protests.

Syrian activists say at least 700 people have been killed in a crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, in response to protests against his rule that began two months ago.

The UN high commissioner for human rights spokesman has described that figure as credible.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it fears hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people have been detained in Syria in recent weeks.

Reports from Syria are hard to verify independently as foreign journalists are not allowed into the country.

The Syrian government says it is pursuing "armed terrorist gangs", which it blames for the deaths of about 98 soldiers and members of the security services nationwide, and 22 police officers.

Confirming the troop withdrawal, Information Minister Adnan Hassan Mahmoud said army units had completed their pullout from the southern city of Deraa and started a gradual withdrawal from the coastal city of Baniyas.

He also promised that "the coming days will witness a comprehensive national dialogue" in all Syrian provinces.

Assad would meet with "popular delegations" from around the country and listen to "their opinions, demands, and visions about what has currently been taking place in Syria", Mahmoud said.

Residents of Deraa said there were still tanks outside mosques after the conclusion of Friday prayers and that troops had fired into the air to disperse a large demonstration. Information from residents of Baniyas suggested that hundreds of troops were still there during Friday.

Before Friday prayers, which have become a rallying point for protesters in Syria as they have in several other Arab countries in recent months, an opposition leader said the president had promised troops would not fire on protesters.

Presidential Adviser Buthaina Shaaban made a similar statement when demonstrations began in mid-March.

As Friday prayers came to an end, reports started to come in of protest marches leaving mosques in many parts of the country.

Some protesters carried banners or flags with "freedom" written on them while others were reported to chant: "We want the overthrow of the regime."

Despite the apparent pledge of restraint, three people were killed in the country's third largest city, Homs, when security forces opened fire on demonstrators.

Homs has been the scene of a major military operation since Monday. Areas of the city have been shelled by tanks, and troops have been conducting house-to-house searches and arrests to find or intimidate protesters.

Two people were killed in al-Qaboun, a northern suburb of the capital Damascus, activists said, when plainclothes gunmen opened fire on protesters.

Activists also said one person was killed in a village outside Deraa, the epicenter of the anti-government unrest.

Protests elsewhere in the country were broken up by security forces using tear gas, water cannons and batons.