bachar al-assad last speech

SYRIA- In a 70-minute, televised speech, President al-Assad acknowledged demands for reform were legitimate, but said "saboteurs" was exploiting the situation.
As the protests and the violence continue in Syria, President Assad called on Syrians to help bring the country back to normality. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has addressed the nation on Monday over the ongoing unrest in the country. The speech in Damascus comes amid continued protests against his 11-year rule, which have now lasted more than three months.
Speaking at Damascus University yesterday to what appeared to be a non-student audience; al-Assad called for a national dialogue with all parties in Syria, and promised electoral reforms which he said the Syrian legislature would consider in August.

He also promised the start of an anti-corruption investigation but did not provide details in what was seen as a rambling monologue   repeating similar promises made twice before since the uprising began in March and which had not been translated into action. He said he expects a package of reforms by September or the end of the year at the latest.
Although he called for "national dialogue", he said, "There is no political solution with those who carry arms and kill." The president announced that a national dialogue would start soon and he was forming a committee to study constitutional amendments, including one that would open the way to forming political parties other than the ruling Baath Party.
President al-Assad Stressed that the country's problems should be solved by its own people, the president offered a national dialogue, to begin soon, and to involve all political denominations.