Syrian cabinet resigns amid widespread protests

Update at 8:45 a.m. ET: Syria's cabinet resigns amid the country's worst unrest in decades, state TV reports, according to the Associated Press.

Earlier posting: The Syrian government is expected to resign today as part of President Basahar Assad's attempt to introduce reforms and quell a growing series of tense -- and deadly -- protests, Al-Jazeera TV reports.

Al-Jazeera quotes senior government officials as saying the cabinet will be replaced in 24 hours. It is also possible that Assad, who has remained largely out of public view since protests erupted last week, will speak to parliament, the network says.

The latest report coincides with a massive pro-Assad demonstrations today in the capital, Damascus, with thousands of flag-waving Syrians jamming the central square.

Government officials already have announced that the country's 48-year state of emergency will be lifted.

The law, invoked when the ruling Baath party took power in 1963, has been used to prevent public gatherings, roundup opposition figures, set up closed courts and unleash the secret police.

In the past week, a crackdown on demonstrations by security forces has led to numerous deaths, including at least 61 killed in the southern city of Daraa, 12 in Latakia and at least 10 in Sanamin, Al-Jazeera reports.