Syria takes steps toward new government

DAMASCUS, Syria, April 3 (UPI) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad has appointed Adel Safar, the former minister of agriculture, to form a new government, an official statement said.

"Assad on Sunday issued Decree No. 134 stipulating for designating Adel Safar to form the new government," a statement released by the Syrian Arab News Agency said.

The appointment came less than a week after Assad accepted the resignation of his Cabinet under Prime Minister Mohammed Naji al-Otari and days after a committee was formed to examine lifting the country's 48-year-old state of emergency.

Protesters gathered in the Damascus neighborhood of Douma and chanted anti-government slogans Sunday, CNN reported.

Nine people were killed in anti-government protests in the neighborhood Friday, the network said.

SANA said: "An armed group opened fire from rooftops on hundreds of citizens and security forces in Douma killing a number of citizens and security forces and wounding dozens."

The news agency said a girl was killed in Homs Friday after being shot by "an armed group," and said in Daraa, a soldier was critically injured after being shot "by an armed group trying to seize his weapons."