Syrian Opposition Not in Favor of Collapse of Assad Regime

TEHRAN (FNA)- A senior Syrian opposition figure underlined the necessity for the materialization of the Syrian people's demands, but meantime underlined that protestors and opposition groups are not seeking to overthrow Bashar Assad's regime.
"We do not want an overthrow of the regime and we, as nationalist opposition figures, are seeking a materialization of the people's demands and have announced our positions and demands through the mass media," Secretary-General of Syria's National Democratic Congress Hassan Abdulazim told FNA on Sunday.

Abdulazim pointed to the recent demonstrations throughout Syria in support of Bashar Assad, and said, "The Syrian people have pinned much hope on Assad since he is young and holds a reformist view."

He also called on Assad to fire those government advisors or officials who oppose reforms, and cautioned that neglecting people's demands for reforms will deteriorate the situation in the country.

Syria has been entangled in a series of riots after the occurrence of popular uprisings in the other Arab countries. Assad has appeared in the public several times since the riots began and made general promises of reform.

In a speech at Damascus University in June, the Syrian president 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 cautioned once more that "saboteurs" were exploiting the movement.

Also in June, tens of thousands of the Syrian government's supporters converged on squares in several major cities. "The people want Bashar Assad!" they shouted, releasing black, white and red balloons - colors of the Syrian flag.

The fact that tens of thousands of people were on the streets was a reminder that Assad still enjoys a large public support.