Syrian leader meets group from heart of uprising

[April 14, 2011]  (AP) -- A Syrian official says a delegation from the southern province at the epicenter of mass protests against the regime has met with President Bashar Assad.

The official says Thursday's meeting shows there are efforts to calm the situation in Daraa, an impoverished province where the uprising started last month. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Syria's leading pro-democracy group, the Damascus Declaration, says more than 200 people have been killed during the unrest. Last Friday was the deadliest day so far with 37 killed nationwide, most of the them in Daraa.

Assad has made a series of gestures to try placate the protesters who demand political reforms and an end to the decades-old emergency laws.

[Associated Press; By BASSEM MROUE]

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