Brussels, 13/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Affairs Council has firmly condemned the bloody repression of demonstrations in Syria and called on the regime of President Bachar Al-Assad to lift the state of emergency and begin “a clear and credible programme of political reform”. In conclusions adopted in Luxembourg on Tuesday 12 April, foreign ministers also call for the immediate release of the many demonstrators arrested over the last days and weeks. Independent investigations of the deaths of protestors should be conducted and those responsible brought to account through the courts, member states say. The new prime minister and his future government must get down quickly to preparing an “ambitious” programme of political reform “backed by a concrete timetable for implementation”, ministers say. The Syrian authorities must also abide by their country's international commitments on human rights ands fundamental freedoms, and immediately release all political prisoners. The Council says it stands ready to review its policies towards Syria as appropriate, “including by supporting, once launched, a genuine process of reform”. (H.B./transl.rt)