but syrians, average syrians understand that experience.y had a million refugees come across the border from iraq. many of those refugees, hundreds of thousands, still live in iraq. they're a daily reminder-- still live in syria, those iraq refugees, and they're a daily reminder to syrians of the impact of sectarian warfare. so that's one of the things that's likely to give many average syrians pause. >> simon: now, robert, yesterday there was a very large demonstration in damascus pro-assad. was this an indication of popular support for assad or was it a "rent-a-crowd?" >> i think it may well have been a rent-a-crowd. i think it may have convinced the president and those around him that they have that support. you know how these things work. assad himself organized it. they bus people in, all the civil servants. it may well be that he falls very for the very symbolic event his people have organized for him and that may be one of the reasons he felt he could get away with the speech he gave today. >> simon:... both mubarak and ben alley wer

the syrian president tries to calm his country. he has ordered the release of everyone detained in the current unrest. he has also promised to lift wages and possibly emergency rules in place for 50 years. it is reported thousands attended the funerals of people killed when security forces fired on anti-government protesters wednesday. >> shocking scenes on the streets, the troubled southern city at the center of the unrest. shot down by gunmen. the bbc cannot independently verify the image is posted on social network sites. but security forces were blamed for the killings. this protesters as -- stay on the ground. do not move. no one is lifting a finger. human rights activists say at least 45 were killed, but these figures cannot be independently verified. at the press conference, i asked about the attack. >> our syrian television has verify exact numbers. the problem is with the media organ that wanted to exaggerate what happened, and i want to refer to one news item that was on at the bbc, cnn, many news outlets, that accused se

a scene repeated in several syrian cities. this video shows a rally in the capital of damascus, evidence that unrest is spreading. the syrian president pledged political reforms on friday but the protesters dismissed the measures as inadequate. hours later reports said police fired on protesters in the village killing at least 17 people. the aftermath is shown in this video released -- released through facebook. amateur videos posted online provide the only documentation of such events. despite escalating tensions, the reforms have been welcomed by some in damascus. >> it is a little bit late but i think it is a step towards the right direction. [unintelligible] of course, this is a step forward. >> there were demonstrations in a show of support for the president. this was the official video being broadcast on television. >> we are joined now by our middle east analyst in the studio. do these protests have any chance of gaining the momentum they need to topple the government? it seems as if damascus shoots anyone who goes into

. >> you are watching "bbc news," still ahead, the syrian president has said that there's a conspiracy against national unity. 50 people have been killed in heavy fighting in southern thailand. the government says nearly a million people have been affected by more than a week of unseasonably heavy rain. tens of thousands of tourists are stranded on the islands. >> southern thailand has been battered by more than a week of heavy rain. the coast has been hit by a ferocious see. it has lead to fatal floods in 8 southern provinces. there are dozens of people still missing. there has also been lucky escapes. these men were fortunate to be pulled to safety. the damage has been widespread. the prime minister has been to see this for himself. he has ordered the evacuation of residents in the worst affected area. landslides have been responsible for some of the deaths. with many villages completely cut off, there are fears that the number of dead will rise. transport and other infrastructures such as electricity and phone lines has been badly affected. roads have been blocks, train service is c

productions >> lehrer: government troops opened fire on protesters in syria today as thousands of syrians took to the streets in several cities. good evening. i'm jim lehrer. >> woodruff: and i'm judy woodruff. on the newshour tonight, we have the latest on today's clashes, the most widespread unrest in the arab nation in years. >> lehrer: then, we update the conflict in libya, where coalition planes are helping rebels in the battle for a key eastern town. >> woodruff: spencer michels has the story of a high-tech company documenting patterns of brutality around the world. >> could we make tools to make the human rights movement more powerful by helping them do more with the information they have about human rights abuses? >> lehrer: newshour political editor david chalian goes through the list of republicans preparing to run for president in 2012. >> woodruff: we get analysis of this week's news from mark shields and byron york, filling in for david brooks. >> lehrer: and margaret warner explores the looming food crisis in north korea. >> they're typically in a chronic situation where the

. >>> the syrian president has ordered the release of all people detained during the recent unrest. the government said it will examine ways to meet the legitimate demands of the people in the city of deraa, or more than 20 people were shot dead. -- where more than 20 people were shot dead. >> shocking scenes on the streets of deraa, at the center of a week of protests. demonstrators shot down by unseen gunmen. the bbc cannot independently identified these images, but protesters blamed syrian security forces for the killings, which follows this at the central mosque. this protestors says protestorsrun, run, stay on the ground. nobody is lifting a finger. a human rights activists say at least 45 people were killed. these figures cannot be independently verified. at a press conference what the president's advisers, i asked about the attack. >> syrian television has identified the exact problem. the problem is with people who wanted to exaggerate the figures and wanted to exaggerate what happened. i want to refer to one news item on the bbc, cnn, that accused the security forces by att

consumer and luxury goods were allowed in, and syrians living abroad were invited to return. dr. shaaban is a key presidential adviser. >> president bashar did do many important steps internally, and more important than what he did, he is responsive and the government is responsive to people. >> reporter: syria has also taken steps to reform media regulations, including access to the internet and social media. the government recently lifted a ban on popular social web sites, like facebook and youtube. many people got around these restrictions anyway, but now, they can get on these sites directly. the key unanswered question is whether this is a political opening up, or a clampdown to monitor these web sites. veteran journalist yahya alous is skeptical about the changes governing media. he founded an on-line magazine on women's issues in 2005, which has been forthright in tackling controversial social issues. >> ( translated ): covered women are also subjected to harassment. >> reporter: alous says the government mostly turned a blind eye to their work. but a new rule took effect

this is unprecedented in recent syrian history, and it appears the syrian people are moving their fears. bbc news, damascus. >> in yemen, tens of thousands are taking place in demonstrations in the capital of sanaa. -- inside-the's government protesters are demanding the resignation of president ali abdullah saleh. the president's denounced the protest against them, saying he is ready to transfer power, but only to what he called a " safe hands." our correspondent sent this report from sanaa. >> it is hard to imagine now that the process started as a tiny six n. -- tiny sit-in. the crowd united in its demand for the resignation of president ali abdullah saleh. this was our real show of defiance considering that one week ago, snipers opened fire from the roof here, killing at least 50. >> we ask the president to leave, because people will continue to revolt until the regime falls. >> the president is us libel. he continues to waste time while he is lying. >> of the opposition leaders say their victory is close, but today, they are reminded of what a formidable of when that they are facin

the government has [unintelligible] it is clear that the standoff between the syrian government and the anti-government protestors is not over yet. >> on the line now is a representative from the human rights watch. thank you for time. from what your organization knows, do you think the protesters would have been expecting such violent reaction from government forces? >> absolutely. the government's conduct is in keeping with its track record dating back not even as far as the violent and deftly atrocities -- deathly atrocities. the attacks on them show the government's willingness to used live ammunition against protesters. >> is his record any better than his father's? both have called -- been called autocratic and hardline. >> that is a fair and accurate description. bashar has tried to present himself as someone -- as a somewhat modern person. he rules the country by absolute control over all political institutions. the people of syria have no free speech, no right to assembly, no right to association, there are no independent non-governmental organizations and basically if you crit

a scene repeated in several syrian cities. this video shows a rally in the capital of damascus, evidence that unrest is spreading. the syrian president pledged political reforms on friday but the protesters dismissed the measures as inadequate. hours later reports said police fired on protesters in the village killing at least 17 people. the aftermath is shown in this video released -- released through facebook. amateur videos posted online provide the only documentation of such events. despite escalating tensions, the reforms have been welcomed by some in damascus. >> it is a little bit late but i think it is a step towards the right direction. [unintelligible] of course, this is a step forward. >> there were demonstrations in a show of support for the president. this was the official video being broadcast on television. >> we are joined now by our middle east analyst in the studio. do these protests have any chance of gaining the momentum they need to topple the government? it seems as if damascus shoots anyone who goes into

resolution one ninety seven three was approved there is a clause that talks about the syrian measures and this is open to interpretation and what we think from the british is that if weapons are needed to protect civilian lives when they can justify the use of weapons we're also hearing a similar kind of line coming out of the obama administration they're saying that they could allow for the supply of the. griffins and that they are looking at all options on the table now if indeed there is going to be the supply of weapons to the rebel fighters this poses a whole host of the members and a whole host of very critical questions number one people do not know who the rebels are there are those amongst the ranks with outcry the leanings extremist leanings movies with the land in the hands and indeed if they do does that mean this is the very real possibility that the weapons could end up in the hands of gadhafi soldiers and even more than that if you're going to have handover weapons to fighters on the ground you are going to need to give them some kind of practical assistance and trainin

the syrian president gives no hint of reforms despite the protests throughout the country. in retreat. gaddafi trimspa take back cities. -- take back some cities, gaddafi troops. and how to stop the radioactive leak at fukushima. the change that protesters in syria have been calling for is not coming anymore. assad spoke before parliament and did not hint once that he is considering ending the decade- long emergency law. he blamed foreigners for trying to send syria into chaos. >> the president's speech was eagerly anticipated. it was his first public appearance since the wave of unrest broke out in parts of the country two weeks ago. since 1963, his party has been unchallenged in the syrian parliament, and the party faithful are still standing behind him. he blames the recent unrest on the outside conspirators, intent on creating division and chaos in the country. >> this is an exceptional moment, when it is testing their unity. conspiracies against the country. but thanks to the will of god, we will always succeed in overcoming conspiracies, boosting our unity and strengt

government concessions have echoed international reaction. >> what the syrian government is confronting is in fact the same challenge that affects so many governments across the region. that is the unmet political and economic grievances of their people. >> i call for a nationwide demonstration went out. those demonstrations tested how people would receive the government concessions. >> in yemen, pro-government protesters have been out. the statement promised to transfer power peacefully. he gave no indication of specific timing. he did offer amnesty for military personnel who had defected to the opposition. anti-government protests are expected on friday. one of the most violent incidents in three months of demonstrations. jordanians had set up a protest camp. they are demanding resignation of the prime minister and wider public freedoms. this is bbc news. concern for workers in japan's devastated fukushima plant continues. a man suspected of shooting a british police constable and outside of london more than 25 years ago denies killing her. she protested against gaddafi's regime in 19

city after the syrian army stormed a mosque there in the town. protesters were demanding reform. indeed it is reported that four people lost $lives while these protesters met in the area there. earlier today the governor of the region was dismissed in response to the demonstrators. the protests were taking place over the last few weeks in syria itself. we will try to bring you more on that as the news is coming into us. radiation is still leaking but scientists say they are unsure of exactly where it is coming from. at least 9,000 people are known to have died and 13,000 others are still missing. this town lies 16 miles away from the nuclear plant. many of the residents have left and some may never return. >> a week ago the streets were busy with traffic. lights still change but no cars come. this is what it looks like inside the contamination zone. tens of thousands fled but many elderly can't or won't. in a farm house they find an old couple. the phone call is from their daughter who wants them to leave. we are fine he says. we have plenty of f

as thousands of syrians took to the streets again today, a crackdown. witnesses say president bashar assad's security forces opened fire. more than 50 people killed, according to human rights activists, in the town of daraa, epicenter of the uprising. video posted on the internet the only images of the carnage. >> the only way that assad can stay in power is by being brutal. he has lost his legitimacy. >> reporter: just yesterday a presidential adviser had promised a laundry list of reforms, higher pay, corruption investigations, a possible end to 48 years of emergency law. but clearly, many syrians are not buying it. in yemen, the crowds were even larger. hundreds of thousands demanding president ali abdullah saleh step down. saleh has lost key support in recent days. top military commanders and tribal leaders have joined the opposition, disgusted by a massacre last friday that killed nearly 50. today saleh was defiant, vowing not to hand over power. the u.s. counts on him to keep pressure on al qaeda in yemen and is reportedly trying to broker a deal.

within an hour, syrian troops opened fire on protesters in the one coastal city that saw deadly clashes last week. >>> nasa scientists are poring over stunning new images of mercury taken by one of his spacecraft which is on a year-long mission to map the planet's surface. the photos reveal a planet full of pok marks from pieces of asteroids and comets that regularly pelted at high speeds. >>> and you know anticipation for england's upcoming royal wedding is running high when even the country's legoland pays tribute to the couple. the theme park created a model version of william and kate's big day at the gates of buckingham palace complete with all those well wishers. wow. >> and now here's an early look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opens at 12,350 after gaining 71 points yesterday. the s&p added 8. the nasdaq was up 19. taking a look at overseas trading this morning, in tokyo, the nikkei climbed 46 points and in hong kong the hang seng rose 76. >>> well, despite world pleasures quietly and cautiously, wall street seems to be slowly regaining confidence. while volu

something else loyal syrians should oppose. >> we are not seeking battles and fights. syria is peaceful and level, but we have never stopped from defending ourselves and our causes. those who want to take us on our welcome to do so. [applause] >> we reached a dissented inside syria who spent more than eight years in jail. >> he did not say anything new. all he says is from the past. >> he says he would like to be a reformer. do you believe him? >> i do not believe the regime at all. not now, not before. always, i said this is a bad regime. they rule the country by making people feel fear, putting them in jail. >> it got around 60 people have died in anti-government protests in the last fortnight. >> i do not think there is any middle eastern regime that is immune to the democratic virus mutated in the region. there is a great awakening taking place in the arab world. syria is an extension of what is happening in the arab world. >> strategically, syria is at the middle east -- the center of the middle east. syria is a linchpin of the so- called resistance alliance, clos

tonight analysts say the syrian president seems convinced he can crush any protests. there are reports the military and police are out in force, rounding up a lot of people. >> there will be no limits to what president bashar assad will do. make no doubt about it. >> reporter: today the president said announcing reforms under pressure would be a sign of weakness. the same iron hand that kept his father in power for 30 years before him. ron allen, nbc news, amman. >>> in this country, when presidents and politicians use terms like "u.s. interests" and "the flow of commerce in the middle east and north africa," often those are just euphemisms for oil and the u.s. cannot function without it. we import about 11 million barrels per day. so president obama attempted something today other presidents have attempted. he set an ambitious goal for breaking america's reliance on foreign oil. white house correspondent savannah guthrie at the white house tonight with more on this. savannah, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, brian. the president said today we americans have k

security as well as fission control over the speakers and other media before publication however syrian government adviser has had in an interview that is to be repeated but didn't exactly mention when it's going to happen now it all began with a group of school kids one thousand anti-government slogans on nuclear missiles and south of the country they were arrested and then people came out in the streets demanding that schoolkids have to be released. so. inspired by the general uprising in other countries in the neighborhood such as the reason for syria could potentially cause a lot of trouble for the united states in many ways for example providing greater support for and fight israel such as mosques or possibly moving against israel it sounds here syrian government has already deployed some troops to the cells over the country to stop the protesters. still to come in about twenty minutes time right here on. the west democracy in north africa is a preview of what's to come. i look at this it would have been much better if the international community dejan and the others intervened ear

you're ever here syrian government. some troops to. the country. or the u.s. secretary of state hillary clinton may say that each and every government protesters you need with many of them seem to be focused at the government i mean of course the tally in december we had we had tunisia egypt in january libya bahrain yemen syria and other launch effect of anti-government protests across the arab world and will come to you for more developments on the saudis the tight end of life in damascus thank you. all coming your way in a few minutes rather a few hours here on r.t. crosstalk. discuss whether the west is afraid of democracy in north africa here's a preview of what's ahead. look at this it would have been much better if the international community dejan and the others intervened earlier on when political interventions could have been effective probably more effective and less costly in human life and in material destruction than this but they did it nobody did it would have been better if the united states had stayed out of this to begin with we're the ones t

syrian president bashir al assad said he'd consider granting syrians greater freedom. he's ordered the release of jailed anti-government protesters. >>> in yemen, protesters are demanding president ali abdullah saleh leave office immediately. he's refused, despite month-long anti-government demonstrations. the protesters are calling on leaders to draft a new constitution, and dissolve parliament. >>> and in jordan, hundreds of protesters, mostly students, gathered in the capital of ayman to demand the ouster of the prime minister and the establishment of wider public freedom. the group's leaders say they will not move an inch until their demands are met. >>> in this country, more wet weather is expected in california today, where a powerful storm system is causing flooding, and knocking out power. the trouble is particularly bad in the hills surrounding san francisco. yesterday, a two-foot wave of water ran down the hills into the town of capitola and then the local river overflowed its banks. >> all of a sudden we saw the water fly down the road and in about seven min

reinforced the national popular awareness because that is the real protection, the shield of the syrian nation. there is a major point. we are talking about the changes that took place in the region. we talked about ways, everybody is calling this a way. whether it is a wave, positive or not. if these ways is carrying us or are we carrying it? this wave comes in to say we have to determine whether if it comes, it's an energy, this energy needs to be channeled toward the good for us, not otherwise. what we announced on thursday when we talked about increasing the salaries, et cetera, the political parties laws, et cetera, the emergency law, i am not adding anything new, but you have to understand how we think. and when you do, then we are live in harmony, we communicate in harmony. you have to know how the government thinks. sometimes we have a problem of communication. sometimes what we do and what we say is misinterpreted. these reforms, are we opting for these reforms because there is a problem or because there is a crisis? if the question is yes, then the government is more opportuni

inspired by the general awful i see in your other countries in the neighborhood such as the reason here syrian government has already deployed some troops to cells all over the country to stop the protesters. coming away in a couple of hours here on the coastal spittle of us discuss whether the west is afraid of democracy in north africa here's a preview of what is coming your way. look at this it would have been much better if the international community very gently and the others intervened earlier on when political interventions could have been effective probably more effective and less costly in human lives and in material destruction then this but they did it you know what he did it would have been better if the united states and stayed out of this to begin with we're the ones that have been propping up these leaders we have given millions of dollars to moammar gadhafi. with the fed does that mean we can not to start doing the right seeing how we want to do the same to be around we beat up i decided then we beat up you know what i know that now we have the opportunity to do something very

change security as well as they should control the speakers and other media before publication however syrian government has said in an interview that will is to be repeated but didn't exactly mention when it's going to happen now it all began with a group of school kids and side government agents complete position in the south of the country they were arrested people came out in the streets demanding that those school kids have to be released. subsequently at least inspired by the general population in your other countries in the neighborhood such as the reason here syrian government has already deployed some troops to cells all over the country to stop the protesters. one another strong growth quake off the coast of japan has rocked the already devastated country although with the nami warning that was issued following the new quite has since been counseled the nine that magnitude earthquake in doing synonymy which struck the country during the hopper weeks ago ravaging a whole region is now estimated to have killed well over ten thousand what is also bad. nuclear plant. levels of radioacti

right i'm getting reports that the police have opened fire on demonstrators in the syrian city of daraa. the country has seen weeks of anti-government protests with the last few days particularly violent the latest turmoil comes a day after the syrian leadership pledged to introduce political reforms and expanded freedoms at least twenty five people have been killed in what's become the most serious unrest in the country seen since the one nine hundred seventy s. . and i will be back with more headlines in less than ten minutes time but first it's a new leader with the business. this is our season business update hello and welcome to the program russia's state run also says it will continue to pursue its artistic exploration and assets will deal with the p that's after that stockholm tribunal ruled that big deal broke the agreement with its current russian partners in team k b p and artie's correspondent tom barton brings them existence. since the ruling or about arbitration court was delivered with such an as commented from ross net's point of view on the deal and what he thinks the co

we witnessed a very tense weekend here in the syrian capital with thousands of people gathered on the streets there were huge traffic jams people were shouting and shooting last saw dozens of people attacking the local bureau of al-jazeera news channel as people here were saying that they were and happy with the coverage events unfolding here by the channel of course it is much more tense in the south of the country where dozens of people have already been killed in the clashes with people here are demolishing is for the country's emergency law to be lifted now the mercian civil war imposes restrictions on public gatherings it almost was the wisest of the government to arrest anyone who is suspected of threatening the country's security and now of course they are praising this in syria began with a bunch of schoolkids in the south of the country who started writing and say governmental slogans on the borders they were arrested after the dozens of people took to the streets demanding that those school kids are released government officials are saying that's the emergency law is to be l

inspired by the general uprising in the other countries in the neighborhood such as the reason here syrian government has already deployed some troops to the cells over the country to stop the protestors. or they. cross talks people of death to gangs whether the west is afraid of democracy in north africa is a preview of what's ahead. look at this it without been much better if the international community is very german and the others intervened earlier on when political interventions could have been in fact they're probably more effective and less costly. and human life and good material destruction then but they did it nobody did it would have been better if the united states had stayed out of this to begin with we're the ones that have been propping up these leaders we have given millions of dollars to moammar gadhafi. does that mean we can not to start doing the right sitting. around we beat up on his side and then we've got no but now we have the opportunity to do something very different and this is not about western intervention the united states. but back this is not about day unit

at least twenty four people are believed dead after police opened fire on demonstrators in the syrian city of daraa. speaks of at the government protest with the last few days particularly violent latest turmoil comes a day after the syrian leadership pledged to introduce predictable expend freedoms thousands of become the most serious arm rest the country seen since the nineteen seventies. but brings up to take a moment i'll be back with a summary of the main news stories in this and around five minutes from now or maybe five minutes in the meantime business news is next with you that's after a short break. welcome to business great to have you with us russia state run oil says it will continue to pursue its exploration and assets small deal with b.p. after that. you know the deal broke the b.p.'s equipment with its current russian partners in tank and foreign minister igor sachin has also chairman of the russian as board says his company is not considering buying the russian shareholders out of haiti and. council believes such it won't ultimately get this vote bush and the deal beca

anti-government protests with the last few days particularly violent turmoil comes a day after the syrian leadership pledged to introduce political reforms and expanded freedoms he's pretty five people have been killed in what's become the most serious unrest the country seen since the one nine hundred seventy s. . pretty three minutes past the hour here in the russian capital back in seven minutes for the summer how many stories the meantime you know is next with the business now. i think this is our business update hello and welcome to the program russia's state run or so that will continue to pursue exploration and. talk deal with b.p. that's also there's talk of the tracing tribe you know gold big deal grow they give peace agreement with its current russian partners in chang trading p. and deputy prime minister igor was also chairman of the ross now board says his company is not considering buying the russian shareholders out of ten k.b. please and roland. capital believes. the deal will last three. i think there's a lot of value to be unlocked between the deal between b.p. and rosnef

never happen in syria because syrians are committed to the positions that the syrian government have been taking vis a vis the issue of israel, for example. the impression you got from that is that they felt they were internally they felt internal secure and that is out the window. what we hear from the syrians demonstrating in various towns and cities in syria is not what sort of position do we have in israel. israel is not part of that narrative, yet. they are saying they want more freedoms and better conditions and so on. the palestinians hamas and others had a kind of talk about visiting and that would have been unthinkable. he has come under a lot of pressure from palestinians in the west bank. hamas has come under a lot of pressure from palestinians in hezbollah. they are not happy about the leadership. there is a lot of movement on that. yemen -- the president of yemen has maneuvered his way out of dire straits in the past and he continues to find ways to maneuver around the issue of having to step down. the momentum seems to be on the protective side in yemen. many of them fe

so we are like the syrian people waiting and watching to see that what comes from the syrian government, they dismiss the cabinet today which resigned on mass and as we have said so many times before we support the timely implementation of reform that meets the demand that syrians are presenting to their government such as immediately e. eliminating syria's state of emergency law which as been in effect for a long time. it is at the syrian government and it is of to the leadership starting with president busheir assad to prove that it can be responsive to the needs of its own people. as we are also going to continue to urge that the promise of reform which has been made over and over again and he reported on just a few months ago on a reformer, i'm going to reform and talk to members of congress and others about that that we hear from the highest levels of leadership and syria would be turned into reality that we are waiting and watching for. >> i wonder how you view this issue when shannon libya at the moment. there seems to be a bit of almost ping-pong going on the rebels seem to be w

his comments came during an oval office meeting with a syrian prime minister. >> i want to send a clear message to those that are around colonel khadafy. it is their choice to make how they are going to move forward and they will be held accountable for whatever violence continues to take place there. >> pro democracy remembers saw they are still holding an oil port. they are preparing for an assault on tripoli as britain and france drafted a new resolution establishing a no-fly zone. >>> price of gas is up 3.51 nationwide, much higher here in california where the average price is 3.90. diesel is at 3.88. prices have gone up 33 cents a gallon in the last two weeks. the white house is worried about it affecting the recovery. >> a hearing is scheduled in martinez is whether conoco phillips violated it's expansion after 225 tons of a stuckey substance spewed into the air in crockett and rodeo from the refinery. they report 6,000 people got sick and the refinery agreed to an $80 million settlement. they have first of the kind monitoring system that detects slow toxic leaks. the current owne

we are like the syrian people waiting and watching to see what comes from the syrian government. they dismissed the cabinet today which resigned en masse. we support the timely implementation of reforms that meet the demands that syrians are presenting to the government such as immediately eliminating serious state of emergency laws which have been in effect for a long time. it is up to the syrian p to the leadership starting with president assaad to prove that it can be responsive to the needs of its own people. we are troubled by what we hear but we are also going to continue to urge that the promise of reform which has been made over and over again and which you reported on a few months ago, i am a reformer, i will reform and i talked to members of congress that we hear from the highest levels of leadership in syria. it will be turned into reality. that is what we're waiting and watching for. >> the final question. >> i wondered how you view the situation in libya at the moment. there seems to be almost ping- pong going on and the rebels seem to be withdrawing from some areas

syrian troops opened fire during a protest.ian president has blamed conspirators for the wave of unrest against his authorityian rule. >> u.s. marines headed to japan. they specialize in emergency nuclear response. tonight, new efforts to contain the nuclear fallout there as an american expert inside the plant has encouraging news. more on. >> extreme measures. they are now considering draping enormous tarps over three of the reactors to contain the radiation, a plan that that has never been tried before. obsessione japanese ob with robots the u.s. government has come through with a quad of radiation hardened robots to do the dangerous work. that is something dr. robert gale is one of the few to see up close. here he is at the staging area for nuclear experts and doctors about 12 miles from the reactors. he says it is a place filled with helicopters and even tanks. people in hazmat suits being monitored by the-mile-per-hour as they come and go from the reactor. >> the workers i know feel that they are not getting enough informa

the syrian president gives no hint of reforms despite the protests throughout the country. in retreat. gaddafi trimspa take back cities. -- take back some cities, gaddafi troops. and how to stop the radioactive leak at fukushima. the change that protesters in syria have been calling for is not coming anymore. assad spoke before parliament and did not hint once that he is considering ending the decade- long emergency law. he blamed foreigners for trying to send syria into chaos. >> the president's speech was eagerly anticipated. it was his first public appearance since the wave of unrest broke out in parts of the country two weeks ago. since 1963, his party has been unchallenged in the syrian parliament, and the party faithful are still standing behind him. he blames the recent unrest on the outside conspirators, intent on creating division and chaos in the country. >> this is an exceptional moment, when it is testing their unity. conspiracies against the country. but thanks to the will of god, we will always succeed in overcoming conspiracies, boosting our unity and strengt

his comments came during an oval office meeting with a syrian prime minister. >> i want to send a clear message to those that are around colonel khadafy. it is their choice to make how they are going to move forward and they will be held accountable for whatever violence continues to take place there. >> pro democracy remembers saw they are still holding an oil port. they are preparing for an assault on tripoli as britain and france drafted a new resolution establishing a no-fly zone. >>> price of gas is up 3.51 nationwide, much higher here in california where the average price is 3.90. diesel is at 3.88. prices have gone up 33 cents a gallon in the last two weeks. the white house is worried about it affecting the recovery. >> a hearing is scheduled in martinez is whether conoco phillips violated it's expansion after 225 tons of a stuckey substance spewed into the air in crockett and rodeo from the refinery. they report 6,000 people got sick and the refinery agreed to an $80 million settlement. they have first of the kind monitoring system that detects slow toxic leaks. the current owne