Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will deliver a "comprehensive political speech" on Thursday about the "current issues and political developments as well as internal situation prospects," SANA has reported.
The Beirut-based An Nahar newspaper said Wednesday the Syrian leader would make his response to chief investigator Detlev Mehlis' summons of six senior offier in Thursday's address. "Observers expect to reveal to the Syrian public and that of Lebanon and the Arab world the truth about Syria's stance toward U.N. resolution 1636 and the U.N. commission's request to interrogate six senior Syrian security officers in Beirut," An Nahar said.
The six, including the Assad's brother-in-law Gen. Assef Shawkat, are suspected of being involved in the killing of ex-Lebanon premier, Rafik al Hariri, earlier this year.
On the domestic level, Assad is also expected to lay the groundwork for important changes in Syria. An Nahar quoted Arab League Chief Amr Moussa as saying upon his arrival in Damascus Tuesday that "something very important will happen on Thursday."
Press speculations have indicated about a government shakeup that would include the removal of Farouk Al Sharaa from the post of foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Syria invited on Wednesday Mehlis to visit Damascus and coordinate means of cooperation between the Syrian and UN investigating committees.
Chairman of the Syrian Judicial Committee Magistrate, Ghada Mourad, sent a message to Mehlis in this respect. "The special Syrian judicial committee seizes the chance to invite your respectable committee to visit Syria at the time you advise to discuss the best means and mechanism of cooperation between the two committees," Mourad said.
The Magistrate expressed "readiness on behalf of the Syrian committee to fully cooperate and coordinate with Mehlis committee as to reach to the aspired to truth." The Magistrate suggested inking a memo of understanding as to maintain the required cooperation with the UN investigating committee.
"As we hope you will agree to visit Syria; we suggest the signatory of a memo of understanding with your committee to achieve the requested cooperation," the Magistrate said.
