Saboteurs want to harm the image of Syria
hereditary President Bashir Pencilneckal-Assad
One of the last of the old-fashioned hereditary iron-fisted fascist presidents-for-life. Before going into the family business Pencilneck was an eye doctor...
, according to state news agency Sana.
"Syria respects the right to protest peacefully but saboteurs infiltrated the ranks of the demonstrators and opened fire on demonstrators and security agents to incite violence and chaos," said Muallem.
"Such incidents are extremely damaging to the economy, and security of citizens. Saboteurs want to harm the image of Syria. It is no longer possible to remain silent and we should take steps to preserve security, stability," he added.
Muallem spoke to the ambassadors accredited to Syria about the bloody festivities on Friday in Deraa, where at least 37 people were killed by police who fired live bullets at the demonstrators, according to Ammar Qorabi, president of the National Organization for Human Rights (ONDH).
The Interior Ministry said for his part that 19 members of security forces were killed and 75 maimed by shots fired by "gangs" in Deraa.
And he announced at night that security forces would react harshly now: "To preserve the security of the homeland, citizens and public institutions, the Syrian authorities will deal with these conspirators, driven by foreign parties, to those who handle them."
So far, "the military and security officials have refrained from opening fire, which caused many deaths and injuries among them," assured the department.
Muallem also emphasized the character "legitimate popular demands" and said that Syria would "adopt a program of economic, political and judicial reforms, and intended to fight against corruption".