AMMAN - Syrian President Bashar Assad's efforts to contain an unprecedented wave of protests
face a key test on Friday, after he unveiled a new cabinet andconsole.log("catid body is "+catID);if(catID==120){document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none";var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.js'; script.setAttribute('pubname','jpostcom'); script.setAttribute('widgetname','0011r00001lcD1i_12258'); document.getElementsByClassName('divAnyClip')[0].appendChild(script);}else if(catID!=69 && catID!=2){ document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none"; var script = document.createElement('script'); script.src = 'https://static.vidazoo.com/basev/vwpt.js'; script.setAttribute('data-widget-id','60fd6becf6393400049e6535'); document.getElementsByClassName('divVidazoo')[0].appendChild(script); }ordered detainees released in a bid to ease tensions.Assad's measures were unlikely to satisfy many protesters
demanding political freedoms and an end to corruption. Thecabinet has little power and the release of detainees excludedthose who committed crimes "against the nation and citizens".The official news agency said the releases cover detaineesarrested in the recent wave of protests, but human rightsdefenders said there had been more arrests in the city of Deraaon Thursday.
