Muslim Brotherhood issued joint statement with former Vice President Abdelhalim Khaddam announcing formation of broad coalition of opposition groups, National Salvation Front. Clashes between Arabs and Kurds in north sparked by riots at football match in Qameshli. Details remained unclear but included incidents in Aleppo and Afrin and reported shooting by security forces of Kurds marking anniversary of 1988 Halabja gas attack. Officials denied unrest although several reported dead. Security forces killed 2 members of militant group Jund al-Sham northwest of Damascus 14 March. President Assad agreed to meet UN officials investigating Hariri murder in April and did not rule out handing over suspects to international courts. Assad met Lebanese PM Fuad Siniora briefly on sidelines of Arab Summit in Khartoum.

Opposition showed signs of unity: former Vice President Abdel-Halim Khaddam and exiled leader of Muslim Brotherhood Ali Bayanouni agreed to form joint plan of action to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Opposition unanimously rejected $5 million U.S. funding program for NGOs working on issues related to “core democratic values”. Government reshuffle saw hardliner Faruq al-Shara removed from long-standing position as FM and sworn in as vice president. Serge Brammertz, head of UN investigation into killing of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri, met new FM Walid al-Muallim to discuss further investigations. Security forces clashed with armed Islamist group on outskirts of Damascus, killing group’s leader. Norwegian and Danish embassies attacked in Damascus in protest at Danish cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.

Former Sunni Vice President Khaddam, self-exiled in Paris, called for overthrow of President Assad, whom he accused of ordering assassination of Lebanese PM Hariri. Divided opposition groups hesitant to follow former Baath party stalwart’s lead. Assad announced reluctance to demarcate controversial Israeli-occupied Shebaa Farms area on border with Lebanon. If recognised as Syrian, Lebanese pro-Syrian Hizbollah will lose justification to fight Israel. U.S. called for release of political prisoners and froze assets of head of military intelligence (Assad’s brother-in-law) Asef Shawkat, accusing him of promoting violence in Lebanon and Iraq. UN team investigating Hariri’s murder requested interview with Assad.

UN Security Council unanimously approved 6-month extension of inquiry into former Lebanese PM Hariri’s murder, calling for Damascus’ full cooperation. UN commission’s report presented 12 December said top Syrian officials involved in killing. UN head investigator Mehlis accused Syria of using propaganda to discredit inquiry, after prominent witness recanted testimony end November and said he was bribed to testify against Syria. Former Sunni Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, in exile in Paris, accused President Assad of threatening Hariri before his death. 8 Sunni militants killed in clashes with security forces near Aleppo early December.

Damascus agreed to allow investigators to question officials in Vienna, ending impasse with UN inquiry into killing of former Lebanese PM Hariri; denied reports UN wanted to question sixth official, Assef Shawkat, head of military intelligence and President Assad’s brother-in-law. Assad earlier agreed to cooperate with UN inquiry so long as Syrian national interests not “harmed”. Syria began own investigation into assassination and imposed travel ban on officials named in October UN report. Damascus freed 190 political prisoners in effort to strengthen national unity.

Long-awaited UN interim report on assassination of former  Lebanese  PM  Rafik  Hariri  published  21  October, implicating top-ranked Syrian and Lebanese security officials, including members of ruling Assad family, and faulting Damascus on lack of cooperation. Syria strongly denied accusations. UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 31 October demanding Syria cooperate fully with investigation or face “further action”. Thousands participated in government-sponsored protests 24 October. Earlier in month, Interior Minister and former Syrian intelligence chief in Lebanon Ghazi Kanaan reportedly committed suicide.

U.S. air strikes 30 August against suspected militant targets on border with Iraq killed at least 47: U.S. believed al Qaeda operative Abu Islam also killed. Following deal with government, Detlev Mehlis, head of UN inquiry into death of former Lebanese PM Hariri, visited Damascus to question government officials.

Police made several arrests after violent clashes with Syrian Kurd supporters of banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Hold-up of Lebanese goods continued at border checkpoints. President Assad reinforced bilateral ties and cooperation with Iran during state visit. Ahead of release of UN investigation findings, he also denied Syrian role in assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri earlier in year. 4 police killed in shootout with Islamist militant group Tanzim Jund ash-Sham outside Damascus.

Government forces captured 2 in gunfight with extremists - allegedly including ex-bodyguards of Saddam Hussein: 2 troops, 1 militant killed. Continued U.S. pressure to prevent flow of insurgents to Iraq; Syria responded by saying Iraq, U.S. and Britain uncooperative, citing Iraq’s failure to ratify July 2004 security cooperation protocol and accusing U.S. and Iraqi forces of firing on Syrian border-guards. Ongoing tension with Lebanon: new security border measures led to hold-up of Lebanese goods at border. Labour Minister Diale Haje-Aref said 37 Syrian workers killed in Lebanon since February. On positive note Syria to assist UN with inquiry to Hariri murder.

U.S. Secretary Rice accused Damascus of fomenting instability in Lebanon, where 2 more leaders of anti-Syria opposition killed, and failing to stem flow of insurgents into Iraq. Iraqi Foreign Minister echoed her comments, saying Syrian political will necessary to tighten border controls. U.S. froze assets of Syrian interior minister and intelligence chief. Vice President Halim Khaddam resigned at Baath party congress on reform. Police broke up angry demonstrations by Kurds in northern town of Qameshli after missing Kurdish cleric found dead - Kurds believe killed by Syrian intelligence.