BREAKING NEWS

Syrian information minister says the situation is 'calm'

BEIRUT - The situation is calm in Syria, al-Arabiya television quoted the Syrian information minister as saying on Friday, as protests spread across the country.
"The situation is completely calm in all parts of the country, the television station quoted Information Minister Muhsin Bilal as saying.
It was not clear when he was speaking.
Protests spread beyond the southern town of Deraa on Friday, challenging the rule of the Assad family after their forces killed dozens of demonstrators in the south.