Most Syrians in the Kingdom say they did not know whether to believe media coverage of the large-scale protests.

After the president’s speech Syrians became optimistic and were happy to wait for reforms without protesting.

“We can realize our dreams because now we can express our opinion and voice our demands. I cannot deny that previously we were not free to express our views or press our demands, but this had been the situation in most Arab countries,” said Kamel Al-Shami, a Syrian teacher who has been working for a private intermediate school in Jeddah for 10 years.

“Actually, I want change, but with President Assad remaining in office. Since he became president 11 year ago I have been expecting many changes. There have been noticeable changes in the economy, as most employees are getting higher salaries. But this is not enough as we are looking to end corruption in the government.”

Nadia Mukhles, a Syrian engineer who has lived in the Kingdom for 20 years, believes the protests in Syria was the result of foreign meddling.

“Like many Syrians in the Kingdom, I watched with concern what was happening in the country on TV and on the Internet. I spoke with my relatives who live in Latakia and they said things were not as dark as portrayed in the media. The phone calls were the only way to make sure,” she said.

“The Syrian TV channels played a very important role in calming the Syrian people down, especially when they exposed information, videos and pictures that had come from other countries as fake.”

Dr. Rami Al-Rehani, a Syrian doctor who left the country 30 years ago to live in Saudi Arabia, confirmed that he was looking for change and revolution but the damage that occurred in Egypt and Libya left him frustrated.

“Unfortunately, most Arabs misunderstood the real meaning of revolution. They created damage everywhere in the country. President Assad realized that he should introduce changes and announced them in Parliament before discussing why he had delayed reforms that he had promised in 2005,” he said.

“As a Syrian citizen who loves his country and president, I prefer to wait and see. President Assad did announce a number of reforms one day after his latest speech. He also thanked the Syrian people who trust and support him. The president’s latest speech encouraged me and many Syrians to ask for reforms, not his resignation.”

Muthana Al-Battah, a mechanic, believed that Syrians could learn from reform movements in other countries without having to resort to violence.

“We didn't have to have a revolution. When people took to streets voicing their demands, President Assad immediately issued a number of quick decisions,” he said.

According to Al-Battah, Assad claimed he was unable to quickly implement reforms due to political instability and military conflicts in Iraq and Lebanon.

“Why don’t we wait till he implements what he announced last week?” Al-Battah asked.

“The second day after his speech, he created an authority to study the possibility of removing emergency laws. He also confirmed that this authority would finish its work before April 25. Salaries were increased on April 1.”

All Syrian people who spoke to Arab News were very optimistic following President Assad’s speech. They were also happy with the decisions he made after his speech. They also noticed a great change in Syria's state media.

“I have watched Syrian television for 30 years. Over the last three weeks I noticed a great change in the nature of its coverage,” said Aslan Qustanitine, a Syrian engineer who has been living in Saudi Arabia for two years.

“They became free to show the reality of Syrian streets. They visited people and asked them to say their demands loudly. Citizens were not hesitant in calling for an end to corruption and more media freedom.”