Restricts Syrian visas
Lebanon begin imposing entry restrictions on Syrians as the country struggles to cope with more than a million refugees fleeing the civil war next door. The government estimates there are about 1.5 million Syrians in Lebanon, about a quarter of the total population. Some 1.1 million are registered with the UN refugee agency. Lebanese officials say they simply cannot absorb any more. The policy requires Syrians to obtain visas that limit the time they can remain in Lebanon. Interior minister:
We have enough. There’s no capacity any more to host more displaced
Lebanese security officials say many Syrians are turned back at border crossings but they have no exact figures. The flow of Syrians through one popular crossing appears lower than normal. There are no plans to forcibly repatriate Syrians already in Lebanon.
Syrian, Lebanon relations restored
Assad issues a presidential decree ordering the establishment of diplomatic relations between Syria and Lebanon and announcing the opening of an embassy-level diplomatic mission in Beirut. Following the announcement, the Lebanese Foreign Minister says he will visit damascus to finalize the agreement
Tomorrow I will be in Damascus to meet with my colleague [Syrian Foreign] Minister Walid Moallem…to finalize the necessary measures to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries…My visit will be a crown to the excellent relations between the two countries,
US imposes sanctions
Washington freezes the U.S. assets of Assad and six other senior officials for human rights abuses. The sanctions also bar American individuals and companies from dealing with the officials, which include the vice president, the prime minister, the interior minister, the defence minister, the head of military intelligence and the director of the political security directorate. US Treasury spokesperson:
The actions the administration has taken today send an unequivocal message to President Assad, the Syrian leadership, and regime insiders that they will be held accountable for the ongoing violence and repression in Syria…President al-Assad and his regime must immediately end the use of violence, answer the calls of the Syrian people for a more representative government, and embark upon the path of meaningful democratic reform,
Lifts state of emergency
Syria’s government passes a law to lift the country’s state of emergency as protests against the rule of Assad continue. The state security court is abolished while a law allowing peaceful protests is approved. The repeal of the emergency law is a key demand of protesters.
[The people should] refrain from taking part in all marches, demonstrations or sit-ins under any banner whatsoever. [If demonstrations are held] the laws in force in Syria will be applied in the interest of the safety of the people and the stability of the country.
Re-elected
Assad overwhelmingly wins another seven-year term of office, in a ballot in which he is the only candidate. Political opposition groups are banned unless they are attached the Baath Party. The interior ministry says he wins the backing of more than 97% of Syria’s 12 million voters. The ministry says the turnout is enormous, but gives no figures. Minister:
This great consensus shows the political maturity of Syria and the brilliance of our democracy.