The United States expressed skepticism on Tuesday that a vote by Syria’s cabinet to end 48 years of emergency rule will actually ease human rights conditions there. The State Department confirmed U.S. opposition to Syria’s candidacy for the U.N. Human Rights Council. Officials here say, any gains from the vote lifting the state of emergency in Syria would apparently be negated by companion legislation regulating public protests and they are renewing their call on authorities in Damascus to end violence against demonstrators. The Syrian cabinet on Tuesday ratified draft legislation ending the state of emergency and abolishing a special security court widely criticized by human rights activists. But it also approved a measure regulating peaceful protests that would require permission from the Syrian Interior Ministry for any demonstration.