Syria: Assad Blames ‘Poorly Trained’ Security Services for Violence

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad admitted some government mistakes in handling anti-government protests that have been taking place since March; but he mostly blamed “poorly trained” members of the security services.  Assad stated that little experience with the current situation in the country, which would normally be dealt with by regular police, was a cause of the shortcomings of security services’ handling of protests.  He also said the security services would receive new training to properly handle such situations and prevent “excesses” from being repeated.  Activists have reported that over 850 people have been killed and thousands arrested since the start of the popular uprising began.