USA accuses Iran and Syria of suppressing protesters

The USA has accused Iran of supporting the Syrian authorities in suppressing anti-government protests. Protesters are demanding political and economic reforms, RIA Novosti cites a spokesman of the US State Department, Mark Toner.

Another source from the State Department said that Iran is assisting Syria in blocking Internet websites, training security forces and providing equipment for forcing out protesters.

The USA has accused Iran of interfering in the affairs of Bahrain and Lebanon.

The protests in Syria were inspired by events on March 18 at Deraa, on the border with Jordan. A group of pupils was arrested for writing anti-government slogans on walls and fences. People demanded their release. Dozens of people died in clashes with the police.

Human rights activists say that over 200 people died.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday passed a decree to form a new government headed by the former Agriculture Minister Adel Safar.

The government of Najri Otri was dismissed in late March.