Timeline – Crackdown on protests in Syria

Timeline – Crackdown on protests in Syria
(Reuters) – Following is a timeline of events in Syria since protests began: March 16, 2011 – Security forces break up a gathering in Marjeh Square in Damascus of 150 protesters holding pictures of imprisoned relatives. Witnesses say 30 people are arrested. March 24 – President Bashar al-Assad orders the formation of a committee to study how to raise living standards and lift the law covering emergency rule, in place for 48 years. March 29 – Government resigns. April 3 – Assad asks Adel Safar, a former agriculture minister, to form a new government. …