Syria's crisis poses serious test to Syrians' nationalism: president
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail
Xinhua, January 10, 2012
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Tuesday that the ten-month-old events that wracked Syria has "blooded the heart of every Syrian and imposed circumstances that pose a serious test for us in nationalism."
In his fourth speech since the eruption of unrest in Syria in mid March, Assad said it's no longer possible for some regional and international parties who want to destabilize Syria to fraud facts and events, adding hundreds of world media have worked against Syria "to push us to a state of collapse but they failed."
Standing before a crowd of supporters in Damascus University, in dark suit and tie, Assad said he would not step down because he still has the support of his people.
He said Syria is facing an unprecedented battle, and that victory is imminent thanks to the Syrian people's steadfastness and patience.
Meanwhile, Assad said his country will not close door to any Arab solution respecting the Syrian sovereignty and the independence of the country's decision, adding he was the one to suggest the need for Arab monitors to find out the truth in Syria.
Commenting on Arab League's (AL) halting of Syria's membership, Assad said an AL without Syria is no longer an Arab organization. "The question is who would lose, the Arab League or Syria? The Arabism of the Arab League would remain suspended without Syria."
Besides, Assad said a committee entrusted with rewriting the Syrian constitution is at its final stages. He noted that the upcoming constitution will be focused on political, party pluralism and institutions.
Assad said there would be a referendum on the constitution at the beginning of March.
Meanwhile, Assad said Syria seeks to establish a broad government that included a mixture of politicians and technicians and represents all spectra of society.
"We are at the threshold of changes, a great part of them focus on the youth generation that has confronted this crisis," he said, however, he noted "restoring security is the ultimate priority for Syria at this stage."
Assad vowed to fight terrorism with iron fist and accused foreign conspiracy of trying to destabilize Syria. The Syrian government has blamed the country's turmoil on terrorists and foreign-backed armed gangs.
Assad said the country's policies are to continue reforms and combat terrorism, adding that Syria's dignity is stronger than instigators' armies and wealth.
