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Syria leader dashes hopes of end to emergency rule


President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has dashed hopes of an end to decades of emergency rule in his first speech since protests erupted two weeks ago, instead blaming conspirators for the unrest.
Syria has been ruled with an iron grip by the Assad family for 40 years but has now been reached by the wave of popular demonstrations that have swept the Middle East.
In a highly anticipated address to parliament that lasted almost an hour, Assad warned that Syria's "enemies" were targeting its unity.
He failed to deliver the expected announcement that he was ending the 48-year-old emergency, prompting rights groups to express disappointment.
Washington said the speech lacked substance, and two senior US lawmakers urged President Barack Obama to get behind the opposition to Assad.
Following the speech, gunfire broke out in the Syrian port city ofLatakia, with conflicting reports as to what was happening.
Syria's emergency laws authorise the arrest and interrogation of any individual and restrict gatherings and movement.
Key Assad aide Buthaina Shaaban had told AFP on Sunday that the government intended to lift the state of emergency, but she could not say when.
Assad, who appeared relaxed and exchanged jokes with parliamentarians, echoed that statement on Wednesday, saying that talks were underway on new laws on the media and political pluralism.

17:23 | |

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