'Saboteur' claim sparks Syria protests

ENRAGED protesters took to the streets of Syria yesterday after ­President Bashar al-Assad claimed the uprising against his regime was the work of ­saboteurs.

Angry demonstrators accused him of clinging to power and took to the streets shouting: “Liar!”

Foreign Secretary William Hague said Syria’s leader had to “reform or step aside”.

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In a TV appearance Assad acknowledged demands for reform were legitimate, but said ­“saboteurs” were exploiting the pro-democracy uprising.

He also called for national dialogue but warned that “there is no political solution with those who carry arms and kill”.

Assad is forming a committee to study constitutional amendments, allowing the formation of political parties other than the ruling Baath Party.

Human rights groups say at least 1,300 civilians have died since March.