Syrian President Vows to Defeat Foreign Plot

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad delivers a speech to the parliament in Damascus. The president said that there was a foreign plot against the government and that reforms can be instituted., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Assad vows to defeat foreign 'plot'

Thu Mar 31, 2011 2:2AM
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his government is ready to continue on the path of reforms and vows to defeat a foreign “plot” against his country.

Syria has been planning reforms for a long time, especially to improve the people's standard of living, he said addressing the parliament on Wednesday.

He said enemies have taken advantage of the people's legitimate demands in order to create division and undermine Syria's stability, Reuters reported.

On Tuesday hundreds of thousands of people poured into the streets across the country to show support for Assad.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people chanting “freedom” had taken to the streets of Latakia and Deraa on Wednesday, and that troops had fired warning shots in an attempt to get them to disperse.


Syrian police disband terrorist cell

Wed Mar 30, 2011 7:25PM

Syrian security forces have disbanded a terrorist cell in the capital Damascus as mass rallies were held throughout the country in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

The seven terrorists were caught in the Damascus neighborhood of Mezzeh-86 on Tuesday night, after police authorities received a tip off on their whereabouts, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

The terror elements, among them three non-Syrian Arabs, have been taken into police custody and a full-scale investigation is underway.

The arrests were made on the same day as millions of Syrians took to the streets across the country to stress the importance of preserving the national unity and stability and voice support for President Assad following some scattered protest rallies and armed disturbances against the government.

Syrian authorities say they have arrested foreign elements believed to be behind the recent unrest in the country.

Assad has been the president of Syria for the past 11 years. He took office in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who led the country for three decades.