U.S. Says Assad Must Make Progress On Reforms

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

The United States has urged Syria to make more progress on political reforms.

The U.S. State Department's spokesman Mark Toner said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should meet the needs and aspirations of his citizens.

Meanwhile, on March 29 the Syrian government resigned after two weeks of antigovernment protests in which at least 60 people have died.

State television said Assad accepted the resignation of the government of Naji Otri.

The announcement came as thousands of people took part in regime-sanctioned shows of support for Assad across the country.

Assad is expected to address the nation soon to announce he is lifting a 48-year-old emergency law.

compiled from agency reports