News story

Foreign Secretary statement on speech by Syrian President

Statement in response to speech made by President Assad of Syria on 16 April

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
• Published: 17 April 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“I welcome President Assad’s acknowledgement in his speech today that reform in Syria is necessary and urgent to address the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. We call on the Syrian Government to lift the State of Emergency next week as proposed by President Assad and to ensure that those responsible for the deaths of civilians are held to account.”

Published 17 April 2011