In only his third public appearance since the revolt erupted in March, Bashar Assad returned to a now-familiar refrain: He blamed the unrest on “saboteurs,” offered modest potential reforms, but gave no sign he’d move toward ending the Assad family’s political domination.

He clearly intends to try to ride out the wave of protests, showing the steely determination that has kept the Assads in power for 40 years. But the mobilized opposition appeared to be digging in as well, bracing for a showdown in one of the deadliest uprisings of the Arab Spring.

“We want only one thing: Toppling the regime!” read one banner among marchers in several cities Monday.

Standing before a handpicked crowd of supporters at Damascus University,  Assad presented himself as a secure — and beloved — leader intent on protecting his people. He likened some of the country’s troubles to a “germ” that must be fought off. He said a national dialogue would start soon and he was forming a committee to study constitutional amendments, including one that would open the way to forming political parties other than the ruling Baath Party. He acknowledged demands for reform were legitimate, but he rehashed allegations that “saboteurs” were exploiting the movement.

A package of reforms was expected by September or the end of the year, he said. But along with his promises came a warning that his downfall could usher in chaos.

He said the country’s economy might collapse unless the unrest ends, calling that “the most dangerous thing we face in the coming period,” a message aimed at his supporters in the business community.

Activists said protests erupted after the speech in several towns, including in Idlib, Homs, Hama, Latakia and in the southern town of Daraa.

Many of those demonstrating on Monday — said to number in the thousands — shouted that people want Assad out. In the Damascus suburb of Arbeen, protesters shouted, “Liar! Liar! Liar!” as they marched.

The Arab League, which had been largely silent on Syria, came out in strong support of the regime, its Deputy Secretary-General, Ahmed bin Heli, an Algerian, saying Syria was a “main factor of balance and stability in the region” and saying the league rejects any foreign intervention in its affairs.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said of the speech that what was needed in Syria was “action, not words.”

Four hours after Assad’s speech, dozens of Syrians emerged from an olive grove on the Syrian side of the border and crossed into Turkey on foot — just one small sign Assad failed to persuade Syrian refugees to return to their homes.

Jamal Ahmad, an older man from Jisr Al-Shughour, a town stormed by the military, said he didn’t trust the Syrian leader.

“It is impossible for us to go back until he is overthrown,” Ahmad said. “He has not kept his promises so far.”