Syrian President said regaining security is the ultimate priority and vowed to crush terrorism with an iron fist

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad delivered a strong speech on Tuesday at Damascus University in which he said that regaining security is the ultimate priority and vowed to crush terrorism with an iron fist.

"The battle with terrorism is a battle for everyone, a national battle, not only the government's battle," said Assad. "We must deal with terrorism through all legal methods. They have struck innocents... they are killing the Syrian people."

The Syrian leader said a new constitution would be put to a popular vote as soon as the drafting by a committee had been completed. "After legislation has been drawn up and a constitution... we will call a referendum... (maybe) in the first week of March." he said, adding that it would be followed by a general election.

The president said "the past 10 months, despite all their hardships, were very beneficial... I am confident about the future."We're engaged in an unprecedented war, but victory imminent because we'll remain steadfast.”

"I rule with the will of the people. If I give up power, I will do so with the will of the people too," he said.

Assad touched upon the government's ban on some foreign media, noting that at the beginning of the unrest, foreign journalists could work freely, but their attempts to fabricate the developments forced some control. “Foreign powers’ conspiracy is not a secret anymore, their schemes are being unveiled,” Assad said, adding that “more than 60 TV stations in the world are working against Syria, in addition to many websites.”

He further pointed out the necessity of reforms in Syria, indicating that foreign powers are not following the government reforms, “they're after Syria's behavior and politics.”

However, he said, the government is “open to dialogue but some sections of opposition are not interested.” “When everybody becomes ready for dialogue we'll go for it, there're no restrictions in this matter.”

Hitting out at the Arab League, Assad said: "The first parliament in Syria was in 1917. Where were they then?" he asked. "Their situation is like a doctor who smokes and recommends to his patient to give up smoking while he, the doctor, has a cigarette in his mouth."