Syria Today | May 2010

Smoking ban goes into effect

A nationwide smoking ban targeting public places such as restaurants, cafés, schools, universities, hospitals, parks, cinemas and museums went into effect on April 21.

Franjieh and Jumblatt visit Damascus

Lebanese Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus on April 21.

Syria denies Scud missile allegations as US debates ambassadorial appointment

Syria has denied allegations launched by Israel last month that it supplied Scud missiles to Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

STREET TALK
What do you think of the country’s new labour law?

A new ‘business friendly’ labour law issued on April 12 is already proving controversial. The law includes 287 articles and replaces two texts that were 51 and 48 years old, respectively. At the heart of the debate surrounding the new law is Article 65, which gives employers the right to fire their employees without justification and only provide limited compensation. Syria Today hit the streets to gauge public reaction.

Syria urges Somalia to mediate release of nine kidnapped sailors

Syria has asked the Somali government to mediate the release of nine Syrian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates for the past three months.

Local News

Man drowns his four children in lake
A 33-year-old man drowned his four children in a lake in north-east Aleppo on April 8, the private news website Syria News reported.

Mandatory screening for Syrian travellers to the US dropped

The US has scrapped mandatory nationality-based screening measures for citizens of 14 countries, including Syria.

Prisoner solidarity march held in Damascus

Hundreds of Palestinians and Syrians took part in a candlelight march through Damascus on April 21 to express their solidarity with Arab detainees in Israeli prisons.

Trial of prominent lawyer begins

A 79-year-old Syrian lawyer went on trial in a military court on charges of “weakening national morale” last month, Reuters reported. The trial comes despite calls by the EU and human rights groups for his release.

Thicker than Water

Former Lebanese foes of Syria have been beating a path to Damascus in recent months. Why the sudden change of heart?