Assad urges his supporters to "remain fearless"
- 11 years ago
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad chose to mark May Day with a visit to a power plant in Damascus.
In the video released by Syrian TV, he appears relaxed, shaking hands with employees and touring the facility.
He also commented on a bomb blast in center of the capital, which is under government control, that killed 13 people on Tuesday.
SOUNDBITE: Syrian President Bashar al Assad saying (Arabic)
"We will not be afraid. Did you see the reaction of people in Damascus yesterday? They came out in an unorganized protest and they could have been attacked with a second car bomb. We are now all standing in defiance, this is a challenge of whether we will cower in fear or remain fearless. We will not be afraid. They want us to live underground but we will remain above it and nobody will die until their time comes."
State TV also reported that 70 people were wounded in Tuesday's bombing -- calling it an attack by "terrorists" fighting to overthrow Assad.
In the video released by Syrian TV, he appears relaxed, shaking hands with employees and touring the facility.
He also commented on a bomb blast in center of the capital, which is under government control, that killed 13 people on Tuesday.
SOUNDBITE: Syrian President Bashar al Assad saying (Arabic)
"We will not be afraid. Did you see the reaction of people in Damascus yesterday? They came out in an unorganized protest and they could have been attacked with a second car bomb. We are now all standing in defiance, this is a challenge of whether we will cower in fear or remain fearless. We will not be afraid. They want us to live underground but we will remain above it and nobody will die until their time comes."
State TV also reported that 70 people were wounded in Tuesday's bombing -- calling it an attack by "terrorists" fighting to overthrow Assad.