run TV says the prime minister has formed a new cabinet. President Bashar Al-Assad sacked his cabinet two weeks ago in one of a series of concessions in the face of anti-government protests. Assad appointed Prime Minister Adel Safar, who formed the new government Thursday. Meanwhile, Assad also ordered the release of hundreds of detainees involved in a month of protest. The state TV announcement did not say how many protesters would be released or how many authorities were holding. It said the release order did not apply to those involved in “criminal acts” but that most of those taken into custody would be freed.
