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Syrian president to give speech - state media

Arab World Materials 6 January 2013 00:50 (UTC +04:00)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will deliver a speech on Sunday, the first major public address since fighting broke out between government troops and rebels on the outskirts of Damascus, dpa reported.
Syrian president to give speech - state media

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will deliver a speech on Sunday, the first major public address since fighting broke out between government troops and rebels on the outskirts of Damascus, dpa reported.

The state-run SANA news agency reported that al-Assad will give a speech "on the latest developments in Syria and the region," without providing further details.

The rebels have been fighting for control of the Damascus suburbs for months, raising doubts that al-Assad will be able to maintain his grip on the capital.

Rebels have also recently claimed major gains in several areas of Syria, mainly in the north near the border with Turkey.

The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that more than 70 people were killed nationwide on Saturday, including 17 from al-Assad's forces.

News from Syria is difficult to verify as authorities have barred most foreign media from the country since a pro-democracy uprising started in March 2011.

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