Initial reaction to Assad’s speech a protest in Daraa

Twitter user wissamtarif wrote: First reaction to Bashar’s speech is a Demo in #Daraa happening now. And this round people chanting “Leave Leave” #Syria #March15

Syrian President Bashar Assad failed to deliver on the promises made over reforms by his adviser Butheina Shaaban and instead focused on conspiracy theories and blamed the wave of protests on “conspirators” who reportedly are trying to destroy the country by sowing sectarian strife.

This was Assad’s first appearance since the protests erupted in this tightly controlled Arab country.