Assad tours city hardest-hit by unrest

During the visit to the neighborhood in the western Syrian city, Assad spoke with soldiers and the residents of the area.

“Your government wants to help you. You should also help it,” said the Syrian president. “Of course the state hesitated a bit but we were trying to find ways to end the crisis by talking to rational people [in the opposition,” he added.

Baba Amr was the main stronghold of the Syrian armed groups fighting the government, before the Syrian army regained control of the district and restored security and stability.

“But as long as the terrorists are around, there is no other way except this. Every citizen and I myself know how you go to battle with no fear but your safety is also important to me. So if one has to fall as a martyr, it’s best to do it for a cause,” Assad went on to say.

“Your safety is important to us, as are your achievements,” he further said.

Areas such as al-Zahra, Ashireh, al-Naziheen and places close to Jub al-Jandali are still considered to be the hideouts of armed groups.

Damascus has accepted a peace plan proposed by the joint United Nations (UN) and the Arab League special envoy, Kofi Annan, , aiming to bring an end to the unrest in the country.

In a Tuesday statement, Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Fawzi confirmed that Damascus has written the envoy, accepting his six-point plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

Syria’s foreign-backed opposition has, however, rejected the international plan and is struggling to establish an interim government in case the ongoing regime change ploys against the Syrian government bear fruits.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. Many people, including security forces, have been killed in the unrest.

Major Western states, their Arab allies, the Israeli regime as well as Turkey and some factions of the Syrian opposition have accused the government of killing dissidents and anti-regime protesters.

Damascus, however, blames what it has described as outlaws, saboteurs and armed terrorist groups for the unrest, insisting that the violence has been orchestrated from abroad.

VG/MB/HJL

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