Syrian President blames unrest on 'conspirators'

Syrian President Bashar Assad today blamed a wave of protests on "conspirators" trying to destroy the country in his first address to the nation since the demonstrations erupted nearly two weeks ago.

The speech is seen as a crucial test for his leadership and one that may determine Syria's future.

Mr Assad said security forces were given "clear instructions" not to harm citizens during the protests.

Human rights groups say more than 60 people have been killed since March 18 in a crackdown on the protests.

The coming days will be key to determining whether Mr Assad's concessions will quiet the protest movement, which started after security forces arrested several teenagers who scrawled anti-government graffiti on a wall in the impoverished city of Daraa in the south.

Mr Assad is also expected to announce constitutional amendments and sweeping reforms, including an end to nearly 50 years of widely despised state of emergency laws that give the regime a free hand to arrest people without charges.