BBC Monitoring

Text of report by Jordanian newspaper Al-Arab al-Yawm on 5 January

Syrian Authorities have continued the arrest campaign launched against civil society activists.

They have arrested Fayiz Sarah, Al-Arab al-Yawm correspondent, member of the Damascus Declaration's National Council, and member of the Committees for the Revival of Civil Society. He was arrested against the backdrop of a meeting held by the council on 1 December, which was attended by 163 members.

The authorities also arrested Rashid al-Sattuf from Al-Raqqah, who was a former political prisoner due to his affiliation with the Communist Labour Party.

Source: Al-Arab al-Yawm, Amman, in Arabic 5 Jan 08