Syrian President Bashar Assad was on Tuesday sworn in for his second seven-year term in office before an extraordinary session of the country's 250-seat parliament and amid a standing ovation by lawmakers.

Assad won 97.62 per cent of votes on May 29 in a nationwide referendum on his leadership in which he was the sole contestant.

Addressing the parliament, the president concentrated on internal issues, especially improving living conditions, taking further measures to speed up the pace of economic reform and combatting corruption.

He described the Syrian economy as "solid" despite the challenges which the country is facing.

During his televised speech Assad also called on Israel to submit assurances to Syria that would allow the resumption of peace talks, namely the readiness to surrender the strategic Golan Heights.

"What is demanded from the Israeli officials now is an official, clear and unequivocal announcement over their desire to achieve peace," Assad said in his address.

"Peace for Syria is connected with the full return of the land," Assad said, indicating that negotiations could be conducted through "third party" channels.

Assad, a British-educated ophthalmologist, became president shortly after the death of his father, President Hafez Assad, in 2000.

Since coming to power, Assad has led a campaign to modernize Syria, introducing new economic measures and freeing hundreds of political prisoners. But he also clamped down on pro-democracy activists.

DPA

Güncelleme Tarihi: 17 Temmuz 2007, 13:40