Unidentified Syrian opposition activists hold a former Syrian national flag in Antalya on June 1, 2011 during the opening session of a three-day meeting to discuss democratic change and voice support for a simmering revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. -AFP Photo

DAMASCUS: Syria freed hundreds of political prisoners on Wednesday, one day after President Bashar al-Assad decreed a general amnesty, a rights activist said.

“Under the amnesty, hundreds of people have been released. Fifty of them are from Banias, including the 76-year-old poet Ali Derbak,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

But “thousands of political prisoners remain in jail and are to be released from one moment to another,” he added.

Leaders of the communist Labour Party were unable to benefit from the amnesty, however, as the decree excluded people convicted of joining “an organisation to change the social and economic status of the state,” said the activist, reached by telephone.

On Tuesday, Assad issued the order for a general amnesty for Muslim Brotherhood members and political prisoners to be released after two months of deadly anti-regime protests.