Syrian President Bashar al Assad has issued a general amnesty for prisoners that include those deemed to have committed political crimes. According to Syria’s official news agency Sana, general amnesty was announced for crimes committed before 31st May this year and the amnesty of all detainees belonging to political factions.This is an attempt by the government to resolve the crisis emanating from the demand for sweeping political reforms in the country. The offer was rejected by the opposition.A Washington-based Syrian dissident Mohammad Abdullah who was attending an opposition conference in Antalya, Turkey said that this is just another plot by the regime to gain time. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters that it just underscores the fact that Syrian President needs to take concrete steps to address what is going on in the country.The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has urged the Syrian Government to respond to her request to dispatch a fact-finding mission in the country.She suggested that the appropriate response is for the authorities to engage in a national, inclusive dialogue to address protestors' legitimate demands. Meanwhile, reports quoting human rights activists say that Syrian troops have shelled a southern town of Hirak with tanks and artillery, killing at least eight people.