Introduction to the evening news 06-01-2013

In his first such speech since June and first public appearance of any kind since a television interview in November, Syrian President Bashar Assad addressed the Syria nation and presented what he described as a new initiative to end the war in Syria.  

During the speech, Assad offered a national reconciliation conference, elections and a new constitution but demanded regional and Western countries to stop funding and arming rebels trying to overthrow him first.  

However, Assad did not mention in his initiative anything about stepping down nor about transferring his powers to the Prime Minister as the International envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has previously requested.  

Assad’s speech did not include as well the reconstruction of the security apparatuses.  

In addition, President Assad refused to categorize the 21-month events in Syria as a revolution, accusing the rebels of conspiring with foreign forces and conducting terrorist operations. He also criticized the “Arab Spring” and described as a “soap bubble”.      

In turn, the Syrian opposition Coalition dismissed the speech as a ploy to cling to power, stressing that the death of 60,000 people in the Syrian war is not for stabilizing the same regime.    

Internationally, Assad’s speech was strongly criticized by British Foreign Secretary William Hague who said that the speech is “beyond hypocritical”, while other international officials called on the Syrian president to step down.  

Meanwhile, the Arab Foreign Ministers announced that following to the Lebanese state’s request, they will be holding an extraordinary meeting in Beirut next Sunday to discuss the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

In this regard, Foreign Affairs Minister Adnan Mansour said that he will refer the file of the refugees and their needs to the Arab league.


All these developments and more in our detailed news bulletin.