“President Assad last week ended the country’s 48-year-old emergency law – a key demand of protesters – and abolished a state security court.  But the government then took other steps to crush demonstrations. The consequences of this action were that members of the UN Security Council are due to meet to discuss a joint statement condemning the continuing violence against anti-government protesters in Syria.  On Tuesday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an independent inquiry into the violence.  He specifically condemned the use of tanks and live fire that have killed and injured hundreds.   Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council announced it will hold a special session on Syria on Friday in an effort to persuade President Bashar al-Assad to end his assault on civilians.

Truckloads of Syrian troops deployed early Wednesday into the Damascus suburb of Douma and the coastal city of Banias, while soldiers bolstered their positions in the flashpoint town Daraa.  More than 400 people have been killed since pro-democracy protests erupted last month. The Syrian rights organization Sawasiah says at least 500 people have also been arrested.   Syrian opposition figures have urged President Assad to ensure a transition to democracy as demanded by protesters. In a statement, the activists said either the president will lead the transition period or the country will go through a ‘massive grassroots revolution’ that will break down the regime”

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