SYRIA UPDATE: Syrian president blames protests on ‘conspirators.’ Can we get some conspiring going on for Iran, then?

Syrian President Bashar Assad blamed a wave of protests on “conspirators” who are trying to destroy the country, giving his first address to the nation Wednesday since the demonstrations erupted nearly two weeks ago.

As he entered Parliament for the speech, legislators chanted “God, Syria and Bashar only!” and “Our souls, our blood we sacrifice for you Bashar.”

Sounds like the media at an Obama press conference.