In his first televised speech since June last year, Assad appeared among hundreds of his loyalists at the Opera House in the capital Damascus.

 

　　Assad presented a three-phase initiative to politically resolve the crisis, including a cease-fire, followed by a national dialogue on a "national charter", and the establishment of a broad- based government and parliament.

 

　　But he demanded regional and Western countries stop funding and arming rebels trying to overthrow him first.

 

　　"The current government will call for the national reconciliation conference to reach a National Charter that reinforces the sovereignty of Syria and its territorial integrity, to reject interference in its domestic affairs, and to abandon terror."

 

　　Assad also says Syria will not take dictates from anyone but urges Syrians to unite to save the country.

 

　　The speech is commended by political analyst Afif Dalla in Damascus.

 

　　"In his speech, the president spoke about various fundamental points and considerations based on a real understanding of the crisis in Syria, that there is a political track that needs to be solved and that this political track is consistent with what Syria has already proposed as political reforms. "

 

　　Syria's opposition swiftly rejected the proposal, saying they will accept nothing less than the president's departure.

 

　　Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, has criticized the speech, accusing Assad of failing to accept his responsibility for the war in Syria.

 

　　Both the United States and United Kingdom have reiterated their call for Assad to step down.