In the UK and international press today, all papers report on an escalation in violence in Syria as protesters demonstrate against President Bashar Assad’s regime. The papers note that Assad is expected to announce reforms today including an end of the 50 year state of emergency. BBC Online and Reuters report that Syrian forces fired warning shots and tear gas at protesters in the southern city of Deraa yesterday. In other news, the Financial Times reports that the Egyptian military said that former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is under house arrest at his residence in Sharm El Sheikh. The Guardian notes that shadow UK Defence Secretary Jim Murphy is expected to deliver a speech on defence policy and will say that the Middle East conflicts and protests have posed a serious threat to UK security. Murphy will call on the government to forge new defence partnerships and strengthen ties in multilateral institutions. Reuters reports that the Knesset passed a law yesterday allowing the Supreme Court to revoke the citizenship of anyone found guilty of treason, espionage or terrorism.

In the Israeli press, all papers note that the Knesset yesterday passed a new law that will enable the Supreme Court to revoke the citizenship of anyone convicted of espionage, treason or aiding the enemy in a time of war. All papers also note that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday appointed Yoram Cohen as the next Head of the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Services). Haaretz reports that Israel informed the nations of the UN Security Council and other prominent European countries at the UN that if the Palestinians Authority persists in its unilateral effort to gain recognition, then Israel would also carry out a series of unilateral steps. The paper also notes that Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch met with top police officials and Arab community leaders in order to prepare security forces for possible Israeli Arab unrest marking Palestinian Land Day tomorrow. Meanwhile, the paper notes that President Shimon Peres told reporters yesterday that the popular revolutions taking place in the Middle East could give Israel better neighbours if the countries become more democratic and economically prosperous. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report that an advisor to the PA President, Mahmoud Abbas, said that Abbas is willing to give up millions of dollars in US aid if that is what is needed to forge a new reconciled Palestinian unity government with Hamas. Lastly, the Jerusalem Post reports that Fatah and Hamas will hold unity talks in Cairo next month.