JERUSALEM, Israel -- Will the U.S. come to the aid of other Middle East countries facing unrest? Countries like Syria?

State television reports that the Syrian Cabinet has resigned and CBN News has learned the prime minister is expected to step down very soon.

The resignations are the latest concession by Syrian President Bashar Assad to the protestors rocking his country.

The current government, formed two years ago, is expected to be replaced within 24 hours, but leaves Assad himself in power.

The demonstrations represent the biggest threat to Assad since he succeeded his father 11 years ago. Assad comes from a minority Muslim group called the Alawites and dominates a predominately Sunni Muslim population.

In Damascus, hundreds of thousands of supporters filled the streets of Syria's capital on behalf of the Syrian president. But anti-government protestors have been demanding economic and social reform and an end to the 50-year state of emergency.

During those demonstrations, police fired live ammunition to crush the protests. Dozens of people have been killed.

After trying to crush the opposition with force, Assad now appears to be making concessions to quell demonstrations.

Whether or not he can succeed remains to be seen as yet one more Arab nation teeters on the brink.