Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Tuesday morning took the constitutional oath at the People's Assembly, for a new constitutional term of office starting from July 17th 2007 and ends following a seven-year term in line with the provisions of Article 90 of the Syrian Constitution.
Assad secured 97 percent of the vote in a referendum in May.
In his address after taking the oath, Assad pledged to the Syrian citizens to carry the major responsibility. He also vowed to work for his country's goals.
The Syrian leader stated there was an unshaken conviction that what protects Syria and preserve its stability is not resources or material capabilities but all aspects of its "rich moral heritage, particularly the pan-Arab aspect in addition to the correct political stances."
For 2008, Assad promised further measures aimed at improving citizens' standards of living. He also pledged effective measures to fight against corruption, which he denounced as an "obstacle to reforms."
"There is no doubt that corruption touches the highest circles of the state," Assad said.
He said Syria was ready to open peace talks with Israel, but these should be based on the "land for peace" principle. "We do not want secret talks. We ask Israel's leaders to state in a clear and official manner their desire for peace," Assad said in parliament. "We want Israel's leaders to give guarantees that all of our land will be returned. We cannot enter into negotiations without knowing" what is being discussed, he added.
