Syria unrest: Prisoners released as amnesty offered

In Syria, President Bashar al-Assad has granted a general amnesty for all crimes committed during the 10-month uprising, state media have reported.

It would apply to army deserters who turn themselves in before the end of January, peaceful protesters and those who hand in unlicensed weapons, the Sanaa news agency says.

This is not the first such amnesty proposed by Mr Assad, and observers say it is unlikely to have much effect.

Tim Whewell reports from Damascus, where he was invited to see prison inmates being released.