Assad speaks of reform and security. The opposition is divided
by JPG
The Syrian president reaffirms the existence of a "foreign conspiracy" in the country and receives the support of Muslim religious leaders. The attempts to develop an opposition "national council" in Istanbul has collapsed over suspicions concerning the Muslim Brotherhood. Islamists, nationalists and liberals among opposition. And there are also the young unemployed, who do not identify with any of them.
Damascus (AsiaNews) - The Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad has insisted that the socio-political reforms in progress "are not inconsistent with state efforts to ensure the safety of citizens", ie military and police operations against "armed terrorist groups".
Yesterday evening, the President received a group of Ulema (Muslim religious dignitaries), accompanied by the Minister of Muslim religious property (Awqaf) and the grand mufti, and after evening prayer, offered them an "iftar" (the meal that "breaks the fast "), during which he delivered a long speech.
Addressing his guests, the head of state - who spoke off the cuff - stressed the importance of religious and moral values, and the "normality" of the bond between faith and patriotism, as well as the deep relationship between Islam and Arab culture. He asked for the ulemas’ cooperation to "strengthen the cohesion of the Syrian people" and to "participate in the reform process".
He added that "the State is determined to move ahead with the reform process ", a process that is "vital to the future of the country and new generations" and must be "meticulously researched and based on the natural demands of society."
Once again, the Syrian leader referred to a "foreign conspiracy" that wants to "sow discord" in the country, especially by criticizing "the role of the patriotic armed forces, which protect citizens and public and private property", and moreover "the army embodies the national unity."
The pressure from abroad, added the head of state, are not moved by concern for the welfare of the Syrian people and for reforms, as the claim in the West, but by the desire to "subjugate Syria," which "will never happen, because the Syrian people chose independence and is not for sale, because sovereignty is its honour and national unity an invincible fortress. "
In the meantime, the repression continues, with numerous deaths, injuries and arrests, especially in the cities of Homs and Deir ez-Zor as well as Harasta, on the outskirts of Damascus.
Meanwhile, in Istanbul on August 23 an attempt to establish an opposition "national council", failed to create unanimity either in Syria or abroad. Many opponents say the move put forward in the Turkish city was prepared by the Islamist leaning Muslim Brotherhood, which is rejected by most of those who want to end the current regime. Moreover, a week ago, that is before the Istanbul announcement, a " General Commission of the Syrian Revolution" had been set up by 44 local groups and committees to coordinate protests.
The Syrian opposition’s problem is its total lack of unity. There are, broadly speaking, three main trends: the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and others, the nationalists who formed the "National Committee for Democratic Change", the liberal line which first appeared in 2005 with the "Damascus Declaration". On the other hand, the young and desperate unemployed who started the mass movement in Deraa on March 15, followed by thousands of others in different cities and many villages in the country, do see their demands reflected in any of the three trends or by any existing political party .
The Arab League are set to discuss the situation in Syria in Cairo August 27.
Yesterday evening, the President received a group of Ulema (Muslim religious dignitaries), accompanied by the Minister of Muslim religious property (Awqaf) and the grand mufti, and after evening prayer, offered them an "iftar" (the meal that "breaks the fast "), during which he delivered a long speech.
Addressing his guests, the head of state - who spoke off the cuff - stressed the importance of religious and moral values, and the "normality" of the bond between faith and patriotism, as well as the deep relationship between Islam and Arab culture. He asked for the ulemas’ cooperation to "strengthen the cohesion of the Syrian people" and to "participate in the reform process".
He added that "the State is determined to move ahead with the reform process ", a process that is "vital to the future of the country and new generations" and must be "meticulously researched and based on the natural demands of society."
Once again, the Syrian leader referred to a "foreign conspiracy" that wants to "sow discord" in the country, especially by criticizing "the role of the patriotic armed forces, which protect citizens and public and private property", and moreover "the army embodies the national unity."
The pressure from abroad, added the head of state, are not moved by concern for the welfare of the Syrian people and for reforms, as the claim in the West, but by the desire to "subjugate Syria," which "will never happen, because the Syrian people chose independence and is not for sale, because sovereignty is its honour and national unity an invincible fortress. "
In the meantime, the repression continues, with numerous deaths, injuries and arrests, especially in the cities of Homs and Deir ez-Zor as well as Harasta, on the outskirts of Damascus.
Meanwhile, in Istanbul on August 23 an attempt to establish an opposition "national council", failed to create unanimity either in Syria or abroad. Many opponents say the move put forward in the Turkish city was prepared by the Islamist leaning Muslim Brotherhood, which is rejected by most of those who want to end the current regime. Moreover, a week ago, that is before the Istanbul announcement, a " General Commission of the Syrian Revolution" had been set up by 44 local groups and committees to coordinate protests.
The Syrian opposition’s problem is its total lack of unity. There are, broadly speaking, three main trends: the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and others, the nationalists who formed the "National Committee for Democratic Change", the liberal line which first appeared in 2005 with the "Damascus Declaration". On the other hand, the young and desperate unemployed who started the mass movement in Deraa on March 15, followed by thousands of others in different cities and many villages in the country, do see their demands reflected in any of the three trends or by any existing political party .
The Arab League are set to discuss the situation in Syria in Cairo August 27.
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