Syrian leader's talk of reforms fail to convince his critics

BEIRUT -- Syria's president promised a national dialogue Monday to consider political reforms, but his vague overtures to a pro-democracy uprising fell flat as protesters took to the streets shouting "Liar!" and demanding his ouster.

In only his third public appearance since the revolt erupted in March, Bashar Assad returned to a now-familiar refrain: He blamed the unrest on "saboteurs," offered modest potential reforms, but gave no sign he'd move toward ending the Assad family's political domination.

He clearly intends to try to ride out the wave of protests, showing the steely determination that has kept the Assads in power for 40 years. But the mobilized opposition appeared to be digging in as well, bracing for a showdown in one of the deadliest uprisings of the Arab Spring.

"We want only one thing: Toppling the regime!" read one banner among marchers in several cities Monday.

"The timeline is not in [Assad[']s] favor," Mideast scholar Shadi Hamid, at The Brookings Doha Center in Qatar, said after what he called a "disappointing" speech. "The question is, how long can Assad sustain the current situation?"

Standing before a hand-picked crowd of supporters at Damascus University, in dark suit and tie, Assad presented himself as a secure -- and beloved -- leader intent on protecting his people. He likened some of the country's troubles to a "germ" that must be fought off.

He said a national dialogue would start soon and he was forming a committee to study constitutional amendments, including one that would open the way to forming political parties other than the ruling Baath Party. He acknowledged demands for reform were legitimate, but he rehashed allegations that "saboteurs" were exploiting the movement.

A package of reforms was expected by September or the end of the year, he said.

But along with his promises came a warning that his downfall could usher in chaos.

"We want the people to back to reforms but we must isolate true reformers from saboteurs," Assad said, speaking from a podium flanked by six Syrian flags.

He said the country's economy might collapse unless the unrest ends, calling that "the most dangerous thing we face in the coming period," a message aimed at his supporters in the business community.