Assad addresses Syria on TV as UN arrives in Damascus

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Source: The Guardian

President Bashar al-Assad prepared to address his people as a UN team arrived in Damascus to assess humanitarian needs after five months of turmoil.

Assad's television interview, his fourth address during the growing revolt against his rule, will address "the current situation in Syria, the reform process and … implications of the US and western pressures on Syria politically and economically", the state media agency Sana reported.

Last week the US and leaders of the EU, including the UK, France and Germany, called for Assad to step aside amid an escalating military offensive since 31 July.

Activists said a clean-up operation was under way in places including the port city of Latakia as the UN delegation arrived in the country. But gunfire and arrests continued to be reported and a further 20 people, including five soldiers, died across the country on Saturday, activists said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/21/syrian-president-assad-addresses-nation