© SANA / ReutersSyria's President Bashar al-Assad greets his supporters during Eid al-Adha prayers on September 1, 2017, Syria.
Damascus will "liberate the territories of all Syrian provinces, no matter whose control they are under," Assad said, as cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency.
"The process of Syria's post-war reconstruction is our biggest priority, and we will engage in the restoration of the national economy alongside the ongoing anti-terrorist operations," Assad added.
"The President #الأسد conducts an open dialogue with diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and expatriates on internal, regional and international political situations, diplomatic work and the political and social future #سورية. "Assad pointed to the return of refugees who left the country during the war as another urgent problem.
The president emphasized the need for "dialogue between Syrians at all levels," which he emphasized should lead to a "pact of national accord." Assad accused the Western powers and the US specifically of "obstructing the activation of the political process" in the war-torn country.
The seven year war in Syria has had a severe impact on the country's economy. In May, Assad estimated that the country may need up to $400 billion and over a decade to rebuild. In an interview with Russian media last month, Assad emphasized that notwithstanding Syria's difficulties, Damascus 'does not need the West' to rebuild if the latter is unwilling, because they are prone to acting in a predatory manner.
Best to stand behind the moat, not in front of it.... else whey build it in the first place? That 'wall' seems much the same... good line of defense for an invading army.