Syrian president Assad blames ‘foreign conspiracies’ for crisis

Syria's embattled president, Bashar al-Assad, yesterday blamed "foreign conspiracies" supported by Arab states for the crisis in his country and promised to crack down on terrorism with "an iron fist".

Assad's third major speech since the Syrian uprising began in March combined defiance with talk of continuing and future reforms in the country and praise for state security forces who were fighting what he called terrorism.

"We cannot relent in the battle against terrorism," he said. "We strike with an iron fist against terrorists who have been brainwashed."

The speech gave no hint of any flexibility that could break the bloody deadlock between his regime and popular opposition that has seen thousands of people die in the last 10 months.

"God willing, we will be victorious," Assad declared at the end of a repetitive 100-minute televised address at Damascus University during which he received standing applause and cheers of support from an invited audience. It had been billed by aides as an attempt to regain the initiative at a time of deadlock.

"We are nearing the end of the crisis," Assad insisted. "We should stand united.

"Victory is near because we can be steadfast. We know our enemies."

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Permalink Reply by Farida Magdalena Gillot on July 3, 2012 at 2:51am

http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=28529 http://globalresearch.ca/coverStoryPictures2/28529.jpg Several articles in the British media confirm that British Special Forces are training Syrian rebels. The underlying pattern is similar to that of Libya where British SAS were on the ground prior to the launching of NATO's military intervention. A Responsibility to Protect (R2P) NATO intervention modelled on Libya is contemplated. The Free Syrian Army is a de facto paramilitary creation of NATO. The reports confirm that British military and intelligence operatives are already on the ground inside Syria: "There has been growing chatter indicating that British Special Forces are in some way assisting forces aligned against the Syrian regime. Reports from late November last year state that British Special forces have met up with members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the armed wing of the Syrian National Council. The apparent goal of this initial contact was to establish the rebel forces' strength and to pave the way for any future training operations. More recent reports have stated that British and French Special Forces have been actively training members of the FSA, from a base in Turkey. Some reports indicate that training is also taking place in locations in Libya and Northern Lebanon. British MI6 operatives and UKSF (SAS/SBS) personnel have reportedly been training the rebels in urban warfare as well as supplying them with arms and equipment. US CIA operatives and special forces are believed to be providing communications assistance to the rebels." http://www.eliteukforces.info/uk-military-news/0501012-british-spec... (emphasis added) These reports confirm unequivocally foreign interference in the affairs of a sovereign state. This is not a popular uprising. The insurrection as well as the killings of civilians were sponsored by the Western powers from the outset. US, UK and Turkish operatives are supplying the rebels with weapons in violation of international law. Reports confirm that the rebels are trained gunmen as well members of Al Qaeda affiliated organizations: "Britain is gearing up for fighting in Syria that could be bigger and bloodier than the battle against Gaddafi. The Ministry of Defence is drawing up secret plans for a NATO-sponsored no-fly zone but first it needs backing from the United Nations Security Council. As the unrest and killings escalate in the troubled Arab state, agents from MI6 and the CIA are already in Syria assessing the situation, a security official has revealed. Special forces are also talking to Syrian dissident soldiers. They want to know about weapons and communications kit rebel forces will need if the Government decides to help. “MI6 and the CIA are in Syria to infiltrate and get at the truth,” said the well-placed source. “We have SAS and SBS not far away who want to know what is happening and are finding out what kit dissident soldiers need." Syria will be bloodiest yet, Daily Star (emphasis added)
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