Syria frees hundreds of political prisoners

Syria has freed 755 prisoners arrested during anti-government protests that began in March.

The move by Bashar al-Assad's government comes as the country is visited by Arab League Observers who on Tuesday toured the flashpoint city of Homs. Human Rights Watch has accused the country of hiding prisoners.

More than 5,000 people have died in clashes since March, when Arab Spring protests spread to Syria. Syria routinely accuses "terrorists" of carrying out most of the killing, while the UN and human rights groups point the finger at the government.

Syria in November freed 2,645 prisoners.