DAMASCUS, Oct 23, 2012 (AFP) - 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.