A Syrian official says the governor of a southern province where a deadly government crackdown killed seven protesters has been fired.
The official says Faisal Kalthoum was fired from his position in Daraa on Tuesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Protests inspired by uprisings across the across the Arab world have erupted in parts of Syria, but authorities quickly suppressed them. Three consecutive days of protests in Daraa started Friday and turned violent as security forces fired on protesters.
The state order to remove Kalthoum, in post since 2006, could help ease tension in Daraa as residents accused him of being corrupt.
More protests
Video footage released on social media show anti-government protests in Syria have spread to a southern village and a Damascus suburb.
One clip on YouTube shows several hundred villagers in Samnin chanting “Freedom!” while another shows dozens gathered in Hajar Aswad neighborhood of the capital.
Syrian activists who reported the protests say they took place Monday evening. The activists spoke on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals. The videos’ authenticity could not be independently confirmed.
A deadly government crackdown in the southern city of Daraa left seven people dead in three days of unrest that started on Friday.
Elsewhere, protests by small groups of Syrians — inspired by uprisings across the Arab world — have been quickly suppressed.
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