The address reiterated what has become a familiar refrain as Mr. Assad faces his greatest challenge in more than 11 years of authoritarian rule — a pledge to crush what he has cast as terrorism and sabotage, complemented by somewhat vague promises of reform. The tenor of his remarks, and seeming show of confidence, underscored the irreconcilable nature of Syria’s crisis, pitting a protest movement that demands Mr. Assad leave against a government that rarely acknowledges their grievances.
Mr. Assad denied his government had ordered security forces to open fire on anyone, despite a death toll that the United Nations says has spiraled beyond 5,000 since mid-March in a relentless crackdown. He promised a referendum on a new Constitution in March, a step that seemed to pale before the enormity of the crisis — the bloodiest of the uprisings that began to sweep the Arab world more than a year ago.
“When I rule, I rule because that it is the people’s will and when I leave office, I leave because it is the people’s will,” Mr. Assad said.
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