This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-16483548

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Syria's Assad blames 'foreign conspiracy' Syria's Bashar al-Assad blames 'foreign conspiracy'
(40 minutes later)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has blamed a foreign conspiracy for trying to destabilise Syria. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has blamed a foreign conspiracy for trying to destabilise Syria, as a mass uprising against his rule continues.
The "external conspiracy is clear to everybody", he said in his first public remarks in months.The "external conspiracy is clear to everybody", he said in his first public remarks in months.
Syria's violent crackdown on 10 months of protests against his rule has drawn international condemnation. His violent crackdown on dissent has drawn international condemnation.
He said elections could be held later this year but "terrorism", which he blames for the unrest, would be met with an "iron fist".He said elections could be held later this year but "terrorism", which he blames for the unrest, would be met with an "iron fist".
"Regional and international sides have tried to destabilise the country," President Assad said in a speech broadcast live nationally from Damascus University."Regional and international sides have tried to destabilise the country," President Assad said in a speech broadcast live nationally from Damascus University.
It was his third televised address since protests against his rule began in March, and lasted nearly two hours.
"Our priority now is to regain [the] security [in] which we basked in for decades, and this can only be achieved by hitting the terrorists with an iron fist," he said."Our priority now is to regain [the] security [in] which we basked in for decades, and this can only be achieved by hitting the terrorists with an iron fist," he said.
"We will not be lenient with those who work with outsiders against the country.""We will not be lenient with those who work with outsiders against the country."
BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs says the speech was a riposte to those who are asking questions about the pressure under which Mr Assad is operating.BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs says the speech was a riposte to those who are asking questions about the pressure under which Mr Assad is operating.
It was a message that there will be no concessions and its main theme was that nothing is going to change as far as the Syrian response is concerned, our correspondent says.It was a message that there will be no concessions and its main theme was that nothing is going to change as far as the Syrian response is concerned, our correspondent says.
'No order to fire''No order to fire'
The UN said last month that more than 5,000 civilians had been killed since protests began in March last year.The UN said last month that more than 5,000 civilians had been killed since protests began in March last year.
Syrian authorities say they are fighting armed groups, and that about 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed so far.Syrian authorities say they are fighting armed groups, and that about 2,000 members of the security forces have been killed so far.
In recent months army deserters have joined the opposition and targeted government forces. In recent months, army deserters have joined the opposition and targeted government forces.
A team of 165 monitors from the Arab League has been in Syria since December to monitor implementation of a peace plan that calls for an end to all violence, the removal of heavy weapons from cities and the release of all political prisoners.A team of 165 monitors from the Arab League has been in Syria since December to monitor implementation of a peace plan that calls for an end to all violence, the removal of heavy weapons from cities and the release of all political prisoners.
Opposition groups have accused the Arab League mission of serving to cover up the crackdown on the protests, which has continued despite the presence of the observers.Opposition groups have accused the Arab League mission of serving to cover up the crackdown on the protests, which has continued despite the presence of the observers.
Mr Assad said that there were no orders for security forces to fire on protesters.Mr Assad said that there were no orders for security forces to fire on protesters.
"There is no order from any level about opening fire on any citizen. According to the law, nobody should open fire - only in self-defence or during a clash with an armed person.""There is no order from any level about opening fire on any citizen. According to the law, nobody should open fire - only in self-defence or during a clash with an armed person."
'No snap reforms''No snap reforms'
Mr Assad lashed out at the Arab League, which suspended Syria in November and imposed sanctions, saying: "We were surprised Arabs did not stand with Syria".Mr Assad lashed out at the Arab League, which suspended Syria in November and imposed sanctions, saying: "We were surprised Arabs did not stand with Syria".
He said Arab countries that opposed Syria were under outside pressure ,which was undermining their sovereignty. He said Arab countries that opposed Syria were under outside pressure, which was undermining their sovereignty.
But, he added, Syria would not "close its doors" to an Arab solution as long as "it respects Syria's sovereignty".But, he added, Syria would not "close its doors" to an Arab solution as long as "it respects Syria's sovereignty".
Mr Assad described the events of the past 10 months as "regretful" and said they had been a serious test for Syria. Mr Assad described the events of the past 10 months as "regrettable" and said they had been a serious test for Syria.
However he ruled out snap reform in response to the unrest. However, he ruled out snap reform in response to the unrest.
"We should link what happened before the crisis and post crisis and then embark on reform... We shouldn't build our reforms on this crisis," he said."We should link what happened before the crisis and post crisis and then embark on reform... We shouldn't build our reforms on this crisis," he said.
There were no obstacles to a multi-party system, he said, adding that it was a question of time.There were no obstacles to a multi-party system, he said, adding that it was a question of time.
Mr Assad said he welcomed the idea of expanding the government to include "all political forces".Mr Assad said he welcomed the idea of expanding the government to include "all political forces".
A referendum on a new constitution could be held in March, he said, paving the way for elections in May or June.A referendum on a new constitution could be held in March, he said, paving the way for elections in May or June.
Syria is ruled by the Baath party, dominated by President Assad's family and the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam.Syria is ruled by the Baath party, dominated by President Assad's family and the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shia Islam.
He took power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria for 40 years.
"I rule with the will of the people," he said. "If I give up power, I will do so with the will of the people too. The largest part of the Syrian people want reform and do not go out and violate laws."
He has promised reforms before that have failed to materialise.
Are you in Syria or do you have family in Syria? What is your reaction to President Bashar al-Assad's speech? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Syria or do you have family in Syria? What is your reaction to President Bashar al-Assad's speech? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.