Syrian President Denies Responsibility for Massacre of Civilians
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Sasha Mordovets/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has dismissed accusations by rebels and most countries that his government is responsible for the recent massacre of 108 civilians in the town of Houla.
In a speech to Syria’s newly-elected Parliament on Sunday, Assad charged that forces outside Syria are plotting to destroy his country. He stated that the 15-month-long conflict that has torn his country apart is not a “political” problem, but is instead the result of “terrorism.”
Western officials estimate the fighting has claimed between 9,000 and 12,000 lives.
In his hour-long speech, Assad said Syria’s recent election and reforms were helping the government succeed in combating outside designs on the country while also meeting the people’s demands.
While the president was delivering his speech in Damascus, government tanks again shelled the town of Houla.
United Nations special emissary Kofi Annan left Damascus last week with his six-point ceasefire plan in virtual tatters.
The U.N. Security Council has received a briefing about the lack of progress made since the ceasefire pact went into effect on April 12, but despite the concern by many countries that the conflict could escalate into a wider sectarian conflict that would draw in Syria’s neighbors, turning it into a major regional war, some within the Council are reluctant to impose more sanctions on Syria. Those likely opponents are al-Assad’s allies, Russia and China.
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