Assad Says Syria to Pursue Reforms, Crush 'Terrorism'
Syria is determined to press on with reforms and to fight "terrorism," President Bashar al-Assad, who has been battling a one-year uprising against his regime, said on Tuesday.
"The Syrian people, who have in the past managed to crush foreign plots ... have again proven their capacity to defend the nation and to build a new Syria through their determination to pursue reforms along with the fight against foreign-backed terrorism," Assad said, quoted by state news agency SANA.
Assad, speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the Ukrainian parliament, said his country was clearly being targeted by outside forces seeking to undermine his regime.
"Any country draws its strength from the backing of its people," he said.
The 46-year-old president has consistently blamed the one-year revolt threatening his regime on foreign-backed "terrorist gangs".
The fierce government crackdown to crush the revolt has left more than 7,500 people dead, according to the United Nations.
Source: Agence France Presse
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