Syria government resigns, Otri caretaker PM

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri's government on Tuesday tendered its resignation to President Bashar Al Assad, who appointed Otri caretaker premier, state media reported.

"President Bashar Al Assad today accepted the resignation of the government of Mohammed Naji Otri and designated it to act in a caretaker capacity pending the formation of a new cabinet," state-run news agency Sana said.

The new government, expected to be formed in the coming days, will face the task of implementing a string of reforms promised by the state after protests demanding more freedoms erupted in the Baath-ruled country mid-March.

The reforms are expected to include the end of emergency rule, in place since the Baath party came to power in 1963, and the liberalisation of laws on media and political parties.

Assad is to address the nation on Wednesday.