Fears of further unrest after anti-regime protests spread across country over month, including to Damascus, from southern city Daraa, where at least 55 reported killed by security forces since 18 March. Dozens reported killed in other cities in violent crackdown by security forces; army deployed 27 March after 12 reportedly killed in northwestern port Latakia. In first public address since beginning of unrest, President Assad 30 March blamed foreign conspiracy; remarks seen as inflammatory. Assad 26 March reportedly released political prisoners, including lawyer Diana Jawabra; 31 March ordered study on replacing emergency laws, probe into civilian deaths. Cabinet resigned 29 March in face of protests. UNSG Ban 26 March phoned Assad to urge “maximum restraint”, U.S. condemned govt “repression”. Syria 2 March agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to examine Homs acid purification plant on 1 April; U.S. 9 March said insufficient, warned Syria cannot be allowed to “stonewall” IAEA investigations.

Third peaceful protest in 3 weeks in Damascus violently dispersed 23 Feb by police; planned 5 Feb “Day of Rage” protests failed to draw any protesters. Govt 9 Feb allowed access to Facebook and YouTube 3 years after blocking websites. Higher State Security Court 14 Feb sentenced teenage blogger to 5 years in prison on charges of spying for CIA; U.S. criticised secret trial, appealed for release. Turkey PM Erdoğan 6 Feb praised booming ties with Syria at launch of public works on “friendship dam” at border between countries. 2 Iranian warships 23 Feb docked at Latakia, first Iranian navy vessels to pass through Suez Canal since 1979 revolution (see Iran).

Saudi-Syrian efforts to mediate tensions in Lebanon broke down 11 Jan; collapse of Lebanese coalition govt followed. Syria-Qatar-Turkey held trilateral summit 18 Jan in Damascus to discuss efforts at easing tensions in Lebanon. FM Walid Mouallem 27 Jan called on all parties in Lebanon to form unity govt under designate-PM Mikati (see Lebanon). Exiled leader of banned opposition Muslim Brotherhood 16 Jan offered to halt group’s political activity in exchange for right to return. President Assad 31 Jan said will not grant IAEA inspectors unrestricted access because it would amount to violation of sovereignty. Assad 31 Jan said no chance of popular uprising in Syria as ruling hierarchy closely linked to beliefs of people; opposition reportedly planning 5 Feb “day of rage” mirroring demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia.

Saudi-Syria mediation efforts to defuse tension in Lebanon ahead of Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) decision on former PM Hariri’s murder continued, but yet to produce anything tangible. During 9 Dec visit to Paris focusing on situation in Lebanon, President Assad said issue was an internal matter and solution could “only be Lebanese” (see Lebanon). IAEA Director General Amano 2 Dec said he had formally urged Damascus to provide inspectors with prompt access to remains of alleged nuclear weapons site al-Kibar; Syrian envoy 3 Dec dismissed claims as political, said should focus on Israel instead. UNSG Ban 3 Dec urged Israel-Syria to resume peace talks as soon as possible, recommended UN Disengagement Observer Force mandate to be extended by 6 months. U.S. President Obama 29 Dec appointed Robert Ford ambassador to Syria, first since 2005.

IAEA report 23 Nov said Syria refusing UN nuclear inspectors access to multiple sites, provided inconsistent or scant information; Syria said more information needed from IAEA before allowing visit. Officials 23 Nov condemned new Israeli law mandating national referendum on withdrawal from Golan Heights (See Israel/OPT). Israeli FM Lieberman 11 Nov declared peace talks with Syria should not be pursued; FM Moallem 14 Nov said Israel is not partner for peace. U.S. Sec State Clinton 12 Nov addressed reports of arms smuggling from Syria to Hizbollah, said Washington would not accept attempts to jeopardise Lebanon’s security. Saudi Prince Abdel-Aziz bin Abdullah 21 Nov visited Damascus as Saudi-Syrian efforts intensified to defuse tension in Lebanon ahead of Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) decision on former PM Hariri’s murder (See Lebanon).

FM Moallem 3 Oct said Turkey must mediate any indirect peace talks with Israel. President Assad 11 Oct said Israel hindering peace process, 28 Oct said Israel not interested in peace. Israeli media 8 Oct reported satellite images revealing Syrian scud missile and Hizbollah training base near Damascus. Assad 26 Oct accused U.S. of creating “chaos” abroad. U.S. ambassador to UN Susan Rice 28 Oct accused Damascus of destabilizing Lebanon by arming militias including Hizbollah. Assad 2 Oct visited Iran to reinforce ties, 11 Oct met Turkish PM Erdogan to discuss security strategy against PKK.

U.S. Special Envoy Mitchell 16 Sept met President Assad, affirmed U.S. commitment to Israeli-Syria peace deal; reiterated by U.S. Sec State Clinton in 27 Sept meeting with FM Muallem. Iranian President Ahmadinejad met with Assad 18 Sept. Israel President Peres 20 Sept said Israel ready for direct negotiations with Syria. Further IAEA and Western pressure mid-month over Dair Alzour alleged nuclear site. Russia 17 Sept said advanced missile sales to Syria to go ahead. Restoration of diplomatic ties with Iraq announced 24 Sept.

U.S. envoy to IAEA 3 Aug said agency should consider pushing for special inspection of alleged nuclear arms sites in Syria. Israel 5 Aug indicted 3 men for spying for Syria; FM Muallem in letter to UNSG Ban said charges fabricated. Reports emerged late month of new military cooperation between Hizbollah and Syria.

President Assad, Saudi Arabian King Abdullah 29 July held talks in Damascus before travelling to Beirut next day to ease tensions in Lebanon (see Lebanon). PM Otri and Lebanese PM Hariri signed economic agreements 18 July; Otri said bilateral cooperation must extend to security. No progress on demarcation of common borders. Elderly regime critic Haitham Maleh jailed 4 July for 3 years for “weakening national sentiment”.

In 15 June Damascus meeting President Assad and Lebanon President Sleiman called for firm Arab stance to break Gaza blockade, agreed to start demarcating their shared land and maritime borders, strengthen bilateral ties. Human rights activist jailed 23 June for 3 years for “weakening national sentiment”; U.S. 24 June called for his release. Ali Al-`Abdallah, journalist arrested Dec 2007 on same charges, faced new charges following 17 June scheduled release.