Syrian security foces opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators chanting against emergency laws in the southern city of Daraa on Monday, a witness said.
The demonstrators had converged on a main square in the city, chanting "We want dignity and freedom" and "No to emergency laws", the witness said.
The government of Assad, who is now under domestic pressure unprecedented in his 11-year rule, has announced a string of reforms in a bid to quell a rising wave of dissent against his rule.
He is expected to address the people of Syria in the days to come.
Buthaina Shaaban, a top adviser to Assad, on Sunday told AFP authorities had decided to end the state of emergency, which came into effect when the ruling Baath party rose to power almost 50 years ago.
But it remains unclear what the decision will entail.
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