Syria to lift state of emergency

The state security court, which handled the trials of political prisoners, has been abolished while a new law allowing peaceful protests has been approved.

The repeal of the emergency law was a key demand of protesters.

Earlier, unverified footage from the western city of Homs appeared to show security forces opening fire.

Correspondents say the legal changes will be remarkable to most Syrians after decades of one-party rule, but it is unclear how much difference they will really make, and they may not be enough to satisfy the protesters.

Anti-government demonstrations are reported to have begun in the north-western city of Baniyas after the emergency law was passed.

Several hundred people were also reported to be rallying on the streets of Damascus.

The new law must now be signed by President Bashar al-Assad before it comes into effect.

Under the legal changes, permission from the interior ministry will be needed to demonstrate in Syria.

But the country's interior minister has nonetheless urged people to refrain from taking part in any rallies in the interests of safety and stability.

Activists say about 200 Syrians have died in weeks of unrest challenging the rule of President Assad.

Witnesses in Homs, the country's third-largest city, said security forces had opened fire early on Tuesday to disperse a mass anti-government protest there.

At least 5,000 demonstrators occupied Clock Square in Homs on Monday after mass funerals for about 12 protesters reportedly killed by security forces at the weekend.

Security forces swarmed into the main square before dawn. Witnesses said security forces told them through loudhailers to leave, before firing tear gas, then live ammunition.

On Saturday, Mr Assad promised an imminent end to the state of emergency, which has been in place for 48 years. The authorities have also been freeing political prisoners - another key demand of the protesters.

But Syria's unprecedented wave of unrest shows no sign of abating.

The government has said an "armed insurrection" by Salafist groups is taking place in Homs and further north in Baniyas.

Salafism is a strict form of Sunni Islam which many Arab governments equate with militant groups like al-Qaeda.

State TV carried footage of large crowds expressing support for President Assad at their funerals.

Demonstrations against Assad's ruling Baath Party spread after breaking out in the southern city of Deraa in mid-March.

The unrest poses the gravest threat to his rule since he succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad 11 years ago.