Syrian tanks ‘amass on border’ as Assad threatens opposition

Mr Assad ruled out any compromise. In a rare interview, he said he had a duty
to “annihilate terrorists” to protect his people and ruled out any
solution to the crisis imposed from outside the country.

“The responsibility of the Syrian government is to protect all of our
residents. You have a responsibility to annihilate terrorists in any corner
of the country,” Mr Assad told Iranian state television.

“When you eliminate a terrorist, it’s possible that you are saving the
lives of tens, hundreds, or even thousands,” he said, referring to last
month’s massacre in the village of Houla in which more than 100 people,
including women and children, were killed.

Battling to crush a 16-month uprising against his rule, the 46-year-old
Alawite leader demanded international observers speak out more about the “terrorist
operations” they witnessed.

He also firmly rejected any solution imposed from outside the country,
emphasising his own commitment to reform instead.

“We will not accept any non-Syrian, non-national model, whether it comes
from big countries or friendly countries. No one knows how to solve Syria’s
problems as well as we do,” he said.

“We are moving forward with political reforms. But for terrorists and the
governments that support them, reforms have no meaning.”

Mr Assad accused Syria’s foes of trying to interfere in his country’s internal
affairs with UN resolutions and by bringing about the failure of Kofi
Annan’s peace plan.

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