Bouthaina Shaaban, a spokesman for the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad - Distracted

"We decided to lift state of emergency [in force for forty-eight], but it is unclear from what date." (Al-Arabiya, Dubai)

• Assad blamed 'conspirators' like TV and internet sites (31/03/2011)
• Syria's Assad warns of 'conspiracy' (30/03/2011)
• You: Syrian Leader Calls for Reform, but Warns Against 'Plots' (30/03/2011)
• Assad sees Syria plot, unyielding on emergency law (30/03/2011)
• Damascus: After the President's Speech (30/03/2011)

Bouthaina Shaaban (homepage)  Bouthaina Shaaban (wikipedia)