200 quit Syria's ruling party

 Mustafa Osso said another 30 resigned in the coastal city of Banias, adding that most of those who quit were lower-rank members.

Even though they are still small in scope the Baath Party counts more than a million members in Syria such walkouts were unimaginable before the uprising began.

A resident of the city of Daraa said most of the resignations came from among Baath members in the town of Inkhil. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals. Syria’s uprising against Assad’s authoritarian regime started in Daraa, the provincial capital, on March 15.

Assad has tried to crush the revolt the gravest challenge to his family’s 40-year ruling dynasty. More than 450 people have been killed across Syria in the crackdown, with 120 dead over the weekend.