Assad declares amnesty but excludes 'terrorists'

President Bashar al-Assad issued an amnesty for all crimes committed in Syria "up until today," with the notable exception of "terrorist crimes," state television said on Tuesday.

Assad, who has been fighting a 19 month revolt against his regime, "decreed a general amnesty for crimes committed before October 23," except for those carried out by "terrorists" - the regime's term for rebels. (AFP)