Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accepted the resignation of the country’s government.

Assad accepted the resignation of the government on Tuesday 29 March, according to an announcement on state television.

Assad is expected to address the public on the evening of 29 March or on the following day, according to reports in the local press. He is expected to lift the emergency law, which the country has been ruled under since the Baath party seized power in 1963.

At least 60 people are reported to have been killed as a result of clashes with government forces during protests throughout the country.