Syria has accepted a plan put forward by Arab League leaders to end violence against protesters in the country, Qatar’s prime minister has annouced.

Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who holds the offices of prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar, said in Cairo on Wednesday that the Syrian government would begin releasing political prisoners and holding talks with opposition leaders in mid-November.

The Syrian government, headed by Bashar al-Assad, also agreed to remove tanks and armored vehicles from the streets, which have contributed to the deaths of an estimated 3,000 people during a bloody crackdown on dissent.

It was not made clear what incentives the Arab League had offered Syria for its cooperation, and only a passing mention was made of “resolutions” that could be implemented if the al-Assad government did not comply. 

Additionally, how effective the proposal will be remains to be seen, as opposition groups have so far said they would not negotiate until al-Assad leaves office.

Credit: Photo by Kodak Agfa