Syria issues new general amnesty as conflict rages

President Bashar al-Assad declared a general amnesty yesterday as the conflict ravaging Syria showed no signs of abating, with Western and Russian differences proving unbridgeable.
Under the latest decree, troops who deserted but did not fight against the regime may be pardoned if they surrender within a month, state news agency SANA reported.
"President Assad has issued decree number 23, granting a general amnesty for crimes committed before April 16, 2013," said the agency.
But there were important exceptions to the types of crime it covers.
The amnesty is applicable to just one crime classified under the Terrorism Act, namely failing to inform the authorities about rebel activity.
Other acts such as possessing leaflets that encourage "terrorism" and taking up arms against the regime are not covered.
"Army deserters may be pardoned, if those still in Syria hand themselves in within 30 days, and those outside Syria hand themselves in within 90 days," said the decree.
Armed civilians who hand their weapons in within 30 days can also benefit, although those who incited sectarian strife or published false news are exempted.
State television said the decree would lead to the release of 7,000 detainees.
Assad's regime has been fighting an insurgency that erupted after his forces unleashed a brutal crackdown on peaceful, Arab Spring-inspired democracy protests that broke out in March 2011.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and driven more than five million from their homes, including more than one million refugees.