The Syrian cabinet has approved a law that allows the formation of political parties otherthan the ruling Baath party, provided they adhere to "democratic principles", the state news agency SANA saidץ. The Baath party, which has banned opposition groups since a l963 military coup,has been under pressure to abandon its monopoly on power amid a four-month uprising that has called for the toppling of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The official news agency said the establishment of any new party must be based on acommitment to the constitution, rule of law and respect for freedom and basic rights. Over 1600 demonstrators' seeking Assad's ouster have been killed by the authorities sincethe beginning of anti-regime protests in March. Hundreds have been arrested.
