Syria braces for 'Day of Dignity' rallies
'Day of Dignity' rallies planned in Syria, despite government's plans for reforms
Daraa: Protests are planned in Syria's Daraa and in the nation's capital, Damascus on Friday afternoon.
Organisers have dubbed it a "Day of Dignity."
Security forces appear to be trying to reduce tension in the Syrian city where authorities launched a deadly, weeklong crackdown on protesters.
Syrian troops have dismantled checkpoints in the southern city of Daraa and there was no visible army presence on the streets for the first time since last Friday.
On Thursday, the government pledged to consider lifting some of the country's most repressive laws in an attempt to stop the weeklong uprising in Daraa and prevent it from spreading.
But many activists rejected those promises and called for demonstrations around the country on Friday.
