Syrian ruler Bashar Assad calls for full national mobilization against
outside forces whom he blames for orchestrating the conflict in his country. In
his first public appearance Sunday in seven months, the Syrian ruler outlined
what he called a peace plan. He invited “those who have not betrayed Syria” to a
conference of reconciliation, followed by the formation of a new government and
an amnesty. But Assad added, "We will not have dialogue with a puppet made by
the West.” The first stage of a political solution would require that the
regional powers stop funding and arming the opposition. He vowed to defeat the
rebellion fighting to overthrow his regime, calling the rebels “terrorists” and
“criminals” who harbor al Qaeda’s extremist ideology.
The European Union
reacted to the speech by calling on Assad to step down to allow political
transition.
Assad spoke before cheering supporters at the Opera House in central
Damascus.
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