The Syrian president vows to end the five-year civil war during his first speech to parliament since 2012. President Bashar al Assad vowed to "liberate every inch" of Syria during his first parliamentary address in four years. The Syrian leader said the recapturing of Palmyra from Islamic State in March, seen as a potential turning point in the five-year civil war, was an example of things to come. "Our war against terrorism is continuing," he said in a speech that was broadcast by state TV. "As we liberated Tadmur (Palmyra) and before it many areas, we will liberate every inch of Syria from their hands. Our only option is victory, otherwise Syria will not continue." The speech, for which Mr Assad received a standing ovation from members of parliament, comes as US-backed rebels close in on the IS-stronghold of Manbij in northern Syria as part of an offensive launched last week. The town lies on a key supply route linking the Turkish border with Raqqa, IS' de-facto capital. The Syria Democratic Forces group, which is being backed by coalition airstrikes, is said to be just two kilometres from Manbij having captured 52 villages and farms since the offensive began. In his speech to parliament, Mr Assad also congratulated lawmakers on the record turnout during April's elections, which were held only in government-controlled areas and were dismissed internationally as a sham. "The Syrian people surprised the world yet again with an unprecedented voter turnout ... and an unprecedented number of candidates," he said.
