Post date: Jan 07, 2013 2:43:35 PM
A defiant President Bashar al-Assad calls for national mobilisation in a "war to defend the nation", describing rebels fighting him as "terrorists" and agents of foreign powers with whom it is impossible to negotiate.
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JANUARY 6, 2013) (SYRIAN TV) - A defiant President Bashar al-Assad called on Sunday (January 6) for national mobilisation in a "war to defend the nation", describing rebels fighting him as "terrorists" and agents of foreign powers with whom it was impossible to negotiate.
Appearing in an opera house in central Damascus packed with cheering supporters, the Syrian leader delivered his first speech to an audience since June last year, and his first public comments since a television interview in November."We meet today and strife fills Syria, leaving no room for joy in any corner of the country. Peace and security have disappeared from the streets and alleyways of the country," Assad told his supporters.
He unveiled what he described as a peace initiative to end the 21-month-old uprising. But the proposal, including a reconciliation conference that would exclude "those who have betrayed Syria", was certain to be rejected by enemies who have already said they will not negotiate unless he leaves power.
Assad, who has faced criticism in the West over shelling and bombing of civilians areas, ostensibly to attack rebels holding those areas, said his forces had been lured into carnage.
"This form of war is more fragmenting and more dangerous than conventional war because it does not utilise its equipment to hit us, but it pulls us into carrying out its plans. This war targets Syria using a handful of Syrians and many foreigners. It's trying to use us to tear down our trees and destroy our foundations, and it is with pity that this is happening with help from some of our own," he said.
Assad also refused to open dialogue with the armed opposition which has been slowly gaining ground against him in a war in which neither side has landed a conclusive blow.
"But with whom are we dealing? People with extremist ideas who only believe in the language of blood, killing and terrorism. Shall we have dialogue with gangs conspiring with the outside and follow the orders of strangers," Assad asked, before adding he would open dialogue with political opponents who had not taken up arms.
He spoke confidently for about an hour before a crowd of cheering loyalists, who occasionally interrupted him to shout and applaud, at one point raising their fists and chanting: "With blood and soul we sacrifice for you, O Bashar!"
At the end of the speech, supporters rushed to the stage, mobbing him and shouting: "God, Syria and Bashar is enough!" as a smiling Assad waved and was escorted from the hall.
"We are now in a state of war in every sense of the word," Assad said in the speech. "This war targetsSyria using a handful of Syrians and many foreigners. Thus, this is a war to defend the nation."
The United Nations says 60,000 people have been killed in the civil war in Syria, which has brought fighting to the edge of the capital.