Assad: Greater tolerance of dissent

Some were crammed onto the stairs of the building, others struggled to listen from outside.

Mr Turk, who is now more than 70, spent more than 17 years in jail for his opposition to the late president Hafez al-Assad.

He spoke of the change of atmosphere that new President Bashar al-Assad had brought to Syria.

But he warned there were still people within the regime who wanted to preserve their own interests by blocking reform, and called on reformers to stand together against them.

When President Assad succeeded his father last July, a series of unprecedented political gatherings were organised in private homes by intellectuals pressing for democratic change.

Although technically illegal under Syria's emergency law, the authorities tolerated the new forums until February, when most were effectively suspended.

Mr Turk was speaking at one of the few forums that is still operating.

The most famous of the forums is now run by an outspoken MP, Riad Seif, who says he is planning to resume its activities next month - with or without permission.