Syria to open national dialogue: government

DAMASCUS: The Syrian government unveiled on Friday plans to launch a "national dialogue" following anti-regime demonstrations which have rocked the country since March 15.

"A general national dialogue will start in the coming days in every governorate," Information Minister Adnan Mahmud told reporters.

He said President Bashar al-Assad had already met delegates representing several regions. "The president has heard their grievances and their opinions about what is going on in Syria," the minister said.