Syrian President to Address Cabinet

 ? ?April 16, 2011

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (file photo)

Syrian officials say President Bashar al-Assad will address his new Cabinet on Saturday and his speech will be broadcast to the nation.

Assad unveiled a 30-member Cabinet on Thursday.? On the same day, he ordered the release of activists detained during recent anti-government protests, in an apparent bid to ease opposition unrest.

Meanwhile, witnesses and rights group say mourners gathered in the coastal city of Banias on Saturday for the funeral of a man that they say was shot by pro-government forces during a protest on Sunday. Some mourners chanted? in favor of freedom.

Separately, Syria's state-run news agency said a policeman was beaten to death by protesters Friday in the central city of Homs.

SANA reported Saturday that the police officer was hit with sticks and stones during a pro-democracy demonstration that had turned violent.

Protests flared across Syria on Friday.? The biggest demonstration was in the southern city of Daraa, which has become the epicenter of the opposition.

The demonstrations, which began last month, have turned violent at times as protesters have clashed with security forces.? Human rights groups say more than 200 people have been killed as authorities cracked down on the protests.? Syrian officials have blamed some of the unrest on lawless gangs.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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Obama to give Parliament address

 13 April 2011 Last updated at 10:46 ET  President Obama visited the UK in 2008 as a Democratic presidential candidate US President Barack Obama will address both Houses of Parliament during his state visit to Britain in May.

He will speak to MPs and peers in Westminster Hall on 25 May, a spokesman for Commons Speaker John Bercow said.

Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle, are to visit London from 24 to 26 May. A state banquet will be held in their honour at Buckingham Palace during their stay.

It will be the first state visit by a US president since that of George W Bush in 2003.

It is rare for a foreign head of state to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall.

This is usually reserved for British monarchs.

The Queen's Robing Room or the Royal Gallery are usually used to receive heads of state.

Last September Pope Benedict became the third visiting dignitary to address both Houses in Westminster Hall since World War II.

He followed Nelson Mandela in 1996, when he was South African president, and French president Charles de Gaulle in 1960.

In contrast to Mr Obama, former US presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan delivered speeches in the Royal Gallery in 1995 and 1982 respectively.

President Bush had planned to address both Houses during his 2003 state visit.

However, his speech was cancelled due to anti-war protests.