The president today, he wasn't addressing the United Nations. He was addressing his own people, and he was showing commitment and leadership and assuring them that he's committed to the reform.
Jihad Makdissi explains the context of Assad's speech, emphasizing his commitment to reform.
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Today President Assad, the dictator in Syria, has announced that he's granting what he calls amnesty to protesters accused of committing crimes.
The president promised us reforms. God willing, they will come soon. I mean, these reforms are for the citizens, and they have been well received.
This is against our principle and my principle. And I would never do such a thing in my life.
Bashar al-Assad brought this on by turning the tanks loose on population centers. He asked for it. This started out as a fairly benign movement, almost, you know, an incipient democracy, and he opened up with the artillery.