Syrian authorities on Wednesday freed 755 people arrested during anti-government protests, the national TV channel Syria reported.
Those freed do "not have blood on their hands," according to the report.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad signed a deal on Monday allowing an Arab League observer mission into the country. The Arab peace initiative aims to end the eight months of violent unrest in the country.
Under the deal, Syria is to withdraw troops from insurgent towns, free thousands of political prisoners, open dialogue with the opposition and allow observers into the country.
The release of those who were arrested during the upheaval is one of the main demands of the Syrian opposition leaders. The say the move is needed for the inception of a peaceful dialogue and settlement of the crisis. In late November, Syrian authorities freed 912 protesters.
The UN says President Bashar Assad's crackdown on the protests, inspired by uprisings across the Arab world this year, has killed more than 5,000 people. The authorities blame armed gangs for the violence and say 1,100 soldiers and police have been killed.
