"The regime is not serious about transforming the country from a dominant party into democracy and pluralism. Instead, it is trying to carry out some cosmetic work to improve its image," Anwar Al-Benni, head of the Syrian Center for Studies and Legal Research, said.

"Its attempt to introduce new laws as a means for reform has nothing to do with what the people are demanding; it is an attempt to get around the demands."

On Thursday, Assad authorized the "Parties Law, which had already been adopted as a bill by the government following a series of thorough discussions by lawmakers, intellectuals and Syrian citizens," said state news agency SANA. It allows political parties to be set up alongside Assad's Baath party, in power since 1963 with the constitutional status of "the leader of state and society."

Political pluralism has been at the forefront of demands by pro-reform dissidents who since March 15 have been taking to the streets across Syria almost daily to call for greater freedoms.

But Benni, who has been recently released from five years in jail, said the "the law restricts the electoral process to the lower house and local councils. It neglects the election of president, which means that appointing a president will be outside the polls."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev meanwhile said Thursday he has warned Assad that he will face a "sad fate" if he fails to introduce reforms and open a peaceful dialogue with the opposition.

In remarks carried by Russian news agencies, Medvedev said he has delivered this message to Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"Regrettably, large numbers of people are dying there. That causes us grave concern," Medvedev was quoted by the Russian media as saying.

"That's why both on a personal level and in the letters I sent to him (Assad) I have emphasized that it's necessary to urgently conduct reforms, negotiate with the opposition, restore civil peace, and create a modern state. If he fails to do that, he will face a sad fate."

The United States also warned that Assad had put Syria and the Middle East on a "very dangerous path." Germany's foreign minister called for a special United Nations envoy on Syria to be named and immediately dispatched to the country "to bring the clear message of the international community to Damascus."