President Assad promises a national dialogue between Syrian citizens and the state to create 'a new political reality'. Photograph: Reuters TV/ReutersAssad Blames Unrest On Saboteurs, Pledges Reforms -- Yahoo News/Reuters
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad pledged on Monday political reforms within months to address a wave of protests against his rule, but blamed saboteurs for the unrest and warned that no deal could be reached with gunmen.
Assad said a national dialogue would start soon to review new legislation including laws on parliamentary elections, the media, and political parties and look at possible changes to the constitution.
Read more ....
MIDDLE EAST
Syria's Assad blames unrest on saboteurs, pledges reforms. Assad infuriates Syria demonstrators with saboteur claims. Syria: President Bashar al-Assad keeps to hard line.
Gates: Iran supplying arms to Iraqi Shiite groups.
With ‘big gun’, Iraqi soldiers see hope.
Iran plans three additional satellite launches.
Soldiers and militants clash in Yemen, leaving 21 dead.
ASIA
Myanmar fighting flares after peace talks fail.
Analysis-Thai army takes sides as divisive election nears.
Fighting kills 29 in northwest Pakistan.
South Korea shooting mishap highlights heightened tensions with North.
AFRICA
NATO admits Libya air strike led to civilian deaths. Gates: Obama is within law in Libyan operation.
US legal deadline for Libya expires.
Tunisia begins trial against former President. Tunisia's Ben Ali he says was tricked into leaving.
Abyei agreement hits 11th-hour snag. North Sudan military massing in Kadugli.
Egypt's former president Mubarak has cancer: lawyer.
South Sudan to open embassies in 21 countries after gaining independence.
EUROPE
Dmitry Medvedev rules out presidential run against Vladimir Putin.
Tens of thousands protest against cuts in Madrid.
Eurozone delays Greece loan decision until austerity measures are brought in.
Athens protests: Syntagma Square on frontline of European austerity protests.Europe wrangles over Greece.
EU tweaks rescue fund to help struggling states.
AMERICAS
River falls short of Nebraska nuke plant shutdown.
Hundreds of Brazilian military police raid slum in Rio de Janeiro.
Colombia car bomb wounds 17,'calamity' averted.
After surgery, Chavez faces troubles in Venezuela.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Senate bill bans U.S. soil Guantánamo jail forever.
U.S. plays down Al-Qaeda threat under new boss.
U.S. missile strike kills 11 militants in Pakistan.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
OECD's Gurria sees no global double-dip slump.
Just two weeks before QE2 ends, Russia becomes third major country to announce it will dump U.S. Treasury holdings.
China's Huawei storms into tablet PC sector.
Boeing expects customers to look at Airbus neo.
Marilyn Monroe "subway" dress sells for $4.6 million.