Syria’s Assad talks reforms in Dara’a

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has met with a delegation of clerics and scholars from the crisis-hit southern city of Dara’a to discuss the ongoing reforms in the country.

The delegation discussed the important role of scholars and mosque imams in preserving the stability and security in the Arab country, Syria’s Arab News Agency said on Tuesday.

They also expressed their satisfaction over the current situation in Dara’a.

The southern Syrian city, which was hit by a wave of so-called pro-reform demonstrations during the past two months, is now witnessing a relieving calm.

Assad hailed the clerics and scholars for their efforts in curbing sedition and consolidating the positive national unity atmosphere in the town.

Syria has witnessed violent protests since mid-March.

While the opposition accuses the security forces of being behind the violence, Syrian authorities blame armed groups and foreign elements for the aggressive actions, saying security forces have been given clear instructions not to hurt civilians.

Damascus has meanwhile announced the arrest of several members of armed terrorist groups, saying that they have confessed to receiving weapons and money from foreign organizations to kill civilians and security forces in a bid to cause chaos in the country.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to bring those behind the killings to justice.

Last month, Assad also promised to carry out vast political reforms in his administration.

He also abolished a 48-year-long state of emergency in Syria, which was one of the key demands of the protesters.

Experts believe Assad’s reforms are a positive development in the Arab country.