Bashar stands firm on Golan

Bashar al-Assad was sworn in to enthusiastic applause

Bashar al-Assad has renewed Syria's demand for the return of the Golan Heights and stressed the need for economic modernisation in his own country.

He set out his aims in a speech delivered to parliament immediately after he had formally succeeded his father Hafez al-Assad to become the country's first new leader in 30 years.

Bashar said Syria had made a "strategic choice" for peace, but would never abandon its demand for a full return of occupied land - a reference to the Golan Heights seized by Israel in 1967.

Seven-year plan

Economic reform

Crackdown on corruption

No Western-style democracy

Return of Golan Heights

"We would like to stress here that we have the urge to reach a state of peace, but we have no urge to compromise an inch of our territory," he told the legislature.

Bashar, a Western-educated eye doctor, took the oath of office for a seven-year term. He received thunderous applause from members of the People's Assembly.

The ceremony was broadcast live on Syrian television.

Bashar, 34, vowed to "respect the constitution and the laws and preserve the people's interests".

But he also stressed the need for change.

Modernisation

"We must now move forward by regular steps towards economic change through modernisation of the laws, and suppression of bureaucratic obstacles which prevent the inflow of investments," he said.

There is no proof that Israel's peace intentions are sincere

Bashar al-Assad

"The private sector must be activated and given the best possible opportunities. We also have to ensure that the public sector is competitive in foreign markets."

Bashar said each individual had to take responsibility for effecting change and finding solutions.

He has been presented as a moderniser, who will fix the stagnant state-dominated economy created by Hafez al-Assad.

But Bashar faces tough challenges in both foreign and domestic policy.

Syrians hope Bashar will reform the inefficient economy

Peace talks between Syria and Israel have been frozen since January over Syria's insistence on the return of the Golan Heights - a demand that Bashar's father, the late president Hafez al-Assad, had made clear was non-negotiable.

"The liberation of our land is an essential priority, and is as important as achieving a fair and comprehensive peace," he told the Syrian parliament.

"There is no proof that Israel's peace intentions are sincere," he said, urging the US to "play its role as an honest broker" in the peace process.

Referendum

The new president was confirmed in office last week after receiving 97.29% of the votes in a national referendum in which he was the only candidate.

The BBC Damascus correspondent says Syrians are looking for quick results, but deep reform will take time.

Diplomats give Bashar six months to a year to see if he can put his own stamp on the country, but at one level, he has already begun.

Reports say the young doctor, who is known for his modesty, ordered that his pictures - currently plastered to every bus stand and telephone booth - be gradually removed from the streets.

Bashar is also said to have instructed state newspapers to tone down the rhetoric used to describe him and his late father - in particular, to stop calling them eternal leaders, as that is a title reserved for God.