A second observer of the demonstration outside of the Communist Party in Damascus gives us a different point of view of what happened. Anyone who took interest in the story about how a "Anti-US demonstration became anti-regime" should read it.

Khaled Yacoub Oweis has a good analysis article published by Reuters called, "Syria confident of surviving U.S. pressure" (21 Mar 2006). It is worth a read. His central argument is that the Iraq disaster has blown new life into and served to relegitimized the Asad regime in Syria. This is an observation that has been made on Syria Comment for some time. From all accounts the Asad regime is likely to be around for some time to come. As one foreign diplomat is quoted as saying:

"The United States has no appetite for military action against Syria. There is no chance of popular revolt and a coup is unlikely, although the Syrians are not off the hook completely over the Hariri killing," one diplomat said.

Hugh Macleod who lives in Damascus and is editor of Syria Today has a good article on the Syrian oppoition. SYRIA: Domestic opposition gaining strength, but still facing pressures

“Khaddam preparing a ‘political [surprise]’ Thanks to Mideastwire.com

In its March 22 edition, Al Rai Al Aam, an independent daily reported that: “A source in the Syrian opposition told Al Rai Al Aam yesterday in Paris, that the former Syrian vice-president, Abdel Halim Khaddam, has prepared a ‘political bomb’ that will be launched soon, following his successful meeting with the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood abroad, Ali Sadreddine Al Bayanouni. The source that is very close to Khaddam, confirmed that delegations from the opposition in the US and Germany, have visited Paris in the last few days and met with Khaddam who had just returned from Brussels, where he met with Al Bayanouni. The two have established the ‘National Salvation Front’, a name that was suggested by Khaddam himself, ‘in reference to the similar front that was established in Lebanon during the first years of the civil war’ and that Khaddam himself orchestrated…

“In a statement sent by ‘Rally for Syria’ to the offices of Al Rai Al Aam in Paris, Fahed Al Agha Al Masri, the general coordinator of the Rally stated that: ‘We support the call of MP Walid Jumblatt, the head of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party, for a meeting between the forces of the national Syrian and Lebanese opposition. These meetings are the fundamental pillars of reform and help restore the Lebanese-Syrian relations that were undermined by the terrorist and oppressive regime in Damascus. The Rally for Syria will try to hold the first meeting between the Syrian and the Lebanese opposition forces at the end of next month…’

“Lately, Khaddam had increased his calls with Lebanese officials, amongst which [include] MP Saad Al Hariri and Mrs. Nazik Al Hariri, and had received a while ago, MP Akram Shehayeb who was delegated by Jumblatt. While Khaddam avoided giving further details regarding the upcoming political initiative, that is referred to by those who are close to him as ‘the bomb’, sources in the opposition indicated that calls have been made between Khaddam… and many personalities inside and outside [of Syria], to agree on forming a government in exile.

“Even though many sources that are close to Khaddam and Al Bayanouni have denied the fact that contacts have been made with the US, France or Western countries that are concerned with the Syrian-Lebanese dossier, sources in the opposition have pointed out the necessity of ‘using the international atmosphere’ that wishes to change the regime, to push the Syrian forces forward. This indirectly means that they are willing to accept American and European help… In the meantime, Paris wished that Khaddam would stop making statements on French territories…

“On the other hand, Khaddam is telling his visitors, that his testimony before the International Investigation Commission has dotted the i’s, and that the Syrian regime is still undergoing a serious and tormented situation despite its attempts to show otherwise. He also indicated that neither the US nor France have changed their opinions about it, assured that many Syrian political and military figures will soon express their opposition to the regime and [he] stressed that is was necessary to dismiss the idea of overthrowing the regime through a military coup…” - Newspaper - Middle East, Middle East