(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - An ultimatum set by Syrian authorities came as activists planned fresh anti-government demonstrations following the deaths of dozens of people in weekend protests.
In its statement, the interior ministry said "citizens who have participated in or committed unlawful acts, such as bearing arms, attacking security or spreading lies to surrender by May 15 and hand their weapons over to the competent authorities."
The statement also called on Syrians to "supply information about saboteurs, terrorists and arms caches... they will be spared any subsequent legal consequences."
A military spokesman on Monday announced the arrest of 499 people in the southern flashpoint town of Daraa, a week after thousands of troops backed by tanks swooped on the town to crush protests.
The spokesman also announced the death of two members of the security forces "as well as 10 terrorists." Eight soldiers were wounded and five gunmen waiting in ambush were arrested, the military added.
According to the opposition Syrian Revolution 2011 website, security forces on Monday at dawn also entered the Kafar Nubbol area, 320 kilometres (200 miles) north of Damascus, and took over houses and arrested 26 people.
The site urged Syrians across the country to mobilise every day at noon in solidarity with Daraa and all "besieged towns."
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