Assad fuels violence in Syria

In response to popular unrest Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has announced the establishment of a committee tasked with exploring ways to end the state of emergency imposed in 1963. This is a ridiculous gesture that will only lead to more violence, according to the daily De Volkskrant: "It's dangerous of Assad to think he can address the legitimate complaints of the Syrian people by setting up a committee and making empty promises. The Syrians have had more than enough of the unemployment, the corruption and the brutal security services of his Shiite minority regime in a country with a predominantly Sunni population. There will be more violence. Assad has unfortunately turned out to be the ruthless son of his ruthless, dictatorial father. After the death of Hafez al-Assad in 2000 there were hopes that the young Bashar would set a Syrian Spring in motion. ... Now he has shown his true colours. Nothing can be expected of him except more repression."

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