The collapse of dictator rule in the Middle East continues. This time, it’s Syria’s turn.
The Syrian Cabinet resigned yesterday at the request of President Bashar Assad, who hopes a political changeover will to help calm an uprising by the people of Syria within past weeks, that is now threatening Assad’s 11-year rule in one of the most authoritarian and closed-off nations in the Middle East.
Assad, whose family has controlled Syria for 4 decades, is trying to quell a fast-growing dissent by the people with a string of concessions, including lifting emergency laws in place since 1963 and removing other harsh restrictions on civil liberties and political freedom. More than 60 people have died since March 18th, when security forces began cracking down on protesters.
The 45-year-old Assad accepted the resignation of the 32-member Cabinet, which will continue running the country’s affairs until the formation of a new government. Their resignation is considered more symbolic than consequential, since Assad holds the majority of power in the authoritarian regime.
