Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is set to deliver a speech Sunday, in a rare address to his embattled nation.

The state-run news agency SANA said Mr. Assad will “speak about the latest developments” in Syria — a country wracked by a near two-year civil war that analysts say has killed more than 60,000 people. The news agency did not provide further details.

The address will be the president's first in months, and comes as intense fighting between rebels and government forces continues on the outskirts of Damascus.

Fighting has raged for weeks near the capital, as rebels continue to press an offensive aimed at toppling the government. Forces loyal to Mr. Assad have responded with heavy artillery and deadly airstrkes.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fighting Saturday in suburbs south of the city, with at least 10 fatalities.