By DPA,
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad Wednesday blamed the widening unrest in Syria on foreign conspirators, in his first address to the nation since the protests began March 15.
“Syria today is subjected to a conspiracy from outside,” Assad told parliament in a speech that was frequently interrupted with cheers and applause.
He said the objective of the conspirators, who make up a minority, was to “fragment and bring down Syria” and “enforce an Israeli agenda”.
Assad admitted that Syria was not isolated from the changes sweeping across the region. “We believe these are positive changes in the region. Syria is not isolated from the rest of the Arab world.”
His speech comes a day after his government resigned amid widespread protests calling for reforms.
Assad, who assumed power in 2000, said he has long stressed that the aspirations and desires of the “Arab street” demand reform plans.
There are no official figures for the numbers killed in the violent government crackdowns on protesters in recent weeks, but Human Rights Watch reported at least 73 deaths.
“Security forces were given clear orders not to injure any Syrians,” said Assad.
He is expected to introduce a number of reforms, including the lifting of an emergency law that has been in place since the Baath Pary came to power in 1963.