Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said, Tuesday, that he does not intend to give up his position, despite ten months of unrest in his country. In a speech to the nation he said, "I holdthe post of presidentby virtue ofthe peopleand will leavethis jobif the Syrian people want me to." He added,"These unfortunate incidents havecauseda heavyprice, creatinga scaron my heart.I call on allSyriansto listento reasonwhen copingwiththis crisis."
Assadargued thatan internationalconspiracyagainst him,"There areinternational and regional organizationswho wantto undermine thestability ofSyria.There are dozens ofTV channelsand Web siteswho wantto paralyzeour will." Regarding the prohibition ofentry of non-Syrian media to the country, he said,"allArab channelswere freeto enter the country,butfollowing theorganizedmediacampaignagainstSyria, which relied onincorrect information,we decidedto be selectiveandchoosewho will enterour territory.Only then can weput an end tothe falsereports." He continued, "There were rumorsthat the Presidentescapedor fallen [died -ed.].They want todescribe meas a personwho abandonsresponsibility.I tellthem I'm notonewho abandonsresponsibility."