Syrian Vice President: We hope for a transition to democracy

Speaking at "national dialogue" conference held in Damascus on Sunday, Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa said he hoped for "the transformation of Syria into a pluralistic, democratic state where its citizens are equal."

The two-day conference was organized by the Syrian regime in an effort to engage with opposition leaders. Despite the fact that all of the country's opposition activists, including pro-democracy groups, boycotted the conference, al-Sharaa promised that a serious and comprehensive national dialogue would be conducted, with the goal being a gradual transition into a democratic country, with a multi-party system and constitutional reforms.

Meanwhile, on Sunday the US accused Syria of organizing protests in front of the US embassy in Damascus. The protests came in response to US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford's visit to the Syrian city of Hama last Thursday. Ford visited Hama while opposition protests were taking place, a move that was seen as a provocation by the Syrian government.

During the protests two American embassy employees were injured by stones and glass thrown at them. In a meeting held with the Syrian foreign minister, Ford demanded that the anti-American incitement be stopped. Syria, for its part, scolded the US and French ambassadors for having visited the city.

　

　

　

　

　

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