Results of the Exploration Bid Round for Onshore Blocks Could Be Announced at a Later Date

摘要

The protest movement in Syria, which erupted in Damascus on 15 March, is the first in 20 years and gathered particular strength in the region of Deraa, close to the border with Jordan, where more than 90 people were reportedly arrested and at least 100 were killed by the security forces in the space of nine days, according to witnesses and activists quoted by AFP. In the face of this popular revolt, President Bachar al-Assad announced through his advisor, Ms. Bouthaina Chaabane, on 24 March that he was going to abrogate the law instituting the state of emergency, which has been in place since 1963, and that he was going to increase the salaries and pensions of civil servants and the armed forces. Other similar measures are planned. The state television also announced the release of all the protesters arrested "during the recent events".