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Syria Pledges 'Firm' Response to Reported Police Killing

   VOA News  June 07, 2011

   Syria is pledging to mount a "firm and decisive" response to what state
   television called the "massacre" of 120 security personnel in the
   northwestern city of Jir al-Shughour.
   The report Monday could not be confirmed since foreign journalists are
   not allowed in the country. Syrian opposition activists are disputing
   the casualty count, suggesting it will serve as an excuse for a new
   government onslaught.
   Syria's interior minister, Ibrahim al-Shaar, says any response will be
   "in accordance with the law."
   The area around Jir al-Shughour, near the border with Turkey, is the
   latest region to join an anti-government uprising aimed at ending the
   11-year authoritarian rule of President Bashar al-Assad.
   A government spokesman admitted that security forces have lost control
   of areas in and around the town.
   Syria is blaming the unrest on armed terrorist gangs supported by
   foreign "agitators."
   Rights groups say at least 1,100 people have been killed in the
   government's crackdown against the anti-government campaign that began
   in March. More than 10,000 have been arrested.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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References

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