The Syrian government lifted a five-year ban on Facebook and YouTube on Wednesday, in what observers say is a move to stave off unrest in the country, the Forward Syria web site said.
The move comes amid mass anti-government protests and social unrest in Tunisia and Egypt, both Middle-Eastern countries with authoritarian regimes similar to Syria's. Tunisia's long-standing president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was forced to flee the country.
Syrian internet users say they found ways round the ban by logging into social networking sites via international proxy servers.
"I do not see a significant difference before and after lifting of the ban," an anonymous Syrian Internet user told The Guardian newspaper.
Syrian anti-government protesters attempted to hold a "day of anger" protest in the capital Damascus on Saturday but failed to attract significant numbers.
The online retailer Amazon.com and Wikipedia remain blocked for Syrian users.
MOSCOW, February 9 (RIA Novosti)
