Syrian leader sacks governor after huge protests

[July 02, 2011]  BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad dismissed the governor of the key central city of Hama on Saturday after one of the largest protest gatherings to demand an end to Assad's authoritarian regime.

The move, announced by the state-run news agency SANA, was seen as the latest attempt by Assad to weed out potential weak links in his ruling system and possibly signal a renewed crackdown on the city.

SANA's report gave no reason for the firing of Gov. Ahmed Abdul-Aziz a day after an estimated 300,000 people joined an anti-government rally in Hama -- marking the largest single turnout since the uprising began in March.

Crowd estimates and other details cannot be independently verified. The Syrian government has banned most foreign media from the country and restricted coverage.

Syrian forces withdrew from the city last month after clashes that left at least 65 dead. Some protest organizers now worry that the sacking of the governor could be the prelude for government troops to push back into the city -- which carries important symbolism as a center of resistance.

In 1982, Assad's late father, Hafez Assad, stormed the city to crush an uprising, leaving between 10,000 and 25,000 people dead, rights groups say.

Beirut-based activist Wissam Tarif said ousting the Hama governor suggests Assad is looking for scapegoats as protest crowds continue to defy his forces.

"He doesn't have the tools to suppress the protests. For the Baath party, they need to blame somebody," he said, referring to Syria's ruling party.

Another Beirut-based activist, Omar Idibi, said the Hama governor was respected by residents for trying to avoid further bloodshed. Idibi said he feared the governor's sacking would now unleash security forces to try crush demonstrators.

At least 24 people were killed in widespread demonstrations on Friday. Activists say the regime has killed more than 1,400 people -- mostly unarmed protesters -- since mid-March, but the government disputes that toll.

[Associated Press; By DIAA HADID]

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