Syria is launching an immediate probe into the deaths of "civilians and troops" in Daraa and Latakia, two cities that have emerged as the focal points of protests, state media reported Thursday.

"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has charged the head of the judges' council with forming a committee to begin an investigation, effective immediately, into the deaths of civilians and troops in the governorates of Daraa and Latakia," read a report on the state-run news agency SANA.

A Reuters journalist of Jordanian nationality has gone missing in unrest-hit Syria, the Amman government announced Thursday, saying it was seeking information about his whereabouts.

"The Jordanian consul in Damascus is trying to get information from the Syrian authorities about Suleiman Khalidi of the Reuters bureau in Amman. He went to Damascus but no one heard from him since Tuesday," foreign ministry spokesman Mohammed Kayed told Agence France Presse.

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s speech on Wednesday presented positive possibilities that fundamental change will be introduced in Syria in favor of its people.

He said in a statement: “Should the Baath party decisions be implemented, then Syria’s national unity and internal stability will be fortified.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it received a letter from Syrian political detainees in Damascus Central Prison calling for peaceful demonstrations on Friday for the sake of “freedom, justice and equality.”

“The hour of truth has arrived and comprehensive change is the only choice left,” it added.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati praised in a telephone call with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Thursday the Syrian people’s support for his leadership.

The premier also lauded them for obstructing attempts to create strife given the recent demonstrations in Syria.

Number-two Republican Senator Jon Kyl, a fierce critic of U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to engage Syria, said Washington should call for Syrian leader Bashar Assad to step down for undermining Lebanon’s democracy and smuggling weapons to Hizbullah.

“We should not be fooled by his sacking of his government. This is still the same Assad who undermined Lebanese democracy, who worked with North Korea to develop a clandestine nuclear capability, and who smuggles arms to Hizbullah and lends support to Hamas,” Kyl said in a statement on Wednesday.

A map of alleged Hizbullah installations provided to The Washington Post this week by Israeli military officials identifies more than 550 underground bunkers, 300 surveillance sites and 100 other facilities in southern Lebanon, the newspaper said.

“In releasing the map, the Israeli military appeared to be trying to preempt international criticism of any future offensive against the alleged sites, many of which are located in residential villages alongside hospitals, schools and even civilian homes,” the Post said.

A key speech by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday lacked real substance and failed to mention the kind of reforms his people are demanding, the United States said.

In a bid to quell weeks of protests against his iron-clad rule, Assad earlier gave a rare address in parliament.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi stated on Wednesday that the Lebanese people can no longer accept the delay in the government formation.

He said: “Everything has stopped functioning … Political and legislative life has been halted.”

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday blamed conspirators for deadly unrest in Syria but failed to lift emergency rule or offer other concessions in his first speech since protests demanding greater freedoms erupted earlier this month.

Assad said his country was facing a "major conspiracy" plotted by "nearby and distant countries."