Eenemies fail to inject fear into his heart: Assad

DAMASCUS - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Wednesday that the parties his administration is battling have not succeeded in injecting fear into his heart or the hearts of the Syrian people, noting that the Syrian troops are fighting one of the most complicated battles.

Assad's remarks were made during an interview with the pro- government Addounia TV aired Wednesday evening, in which he appeared relaxed and scoffed at the rumor spread by the opposition abroad that he had fled the capital, or escaped abroad. He told his interviewer that "I'm here with you in Damascus inside the republican palace."

Assad said the situation in Syria is "practically better" and the military showdown "needs time," adding that the military and security forces are carrying on "heroic acts in every sense of the word."

"We're fighting a regional and global battle and must have more time to resolve (it)," he said.

The president said the anti-government movement has been armed from its first week when "a number of security and police martyrs had fallen."

"When the army forces sensed there was a notable escalation, the troops intervened and did not hesitate, not even for one moment, to strive for ending the violence," he said.

Assad said anyone who has made mistakes or seeks to prolong the crisis should be held accountable for what they did.

He said his administration was asked directly and overtly by western powers to stay away from Iran, and that if Syria did not comply, they would use the so called Arab spring to target the country.

Meanwhile, the embattled leader said the Turkish government holds a direct responsibility for the blood that has been shed in Syria, in reference to Turkey's role in supporting armed insurgents in the country.

Assad further said that talks about imposing buffer zones in Syria are "unrealistic."

"I think the talks about buffer zones are ... unrealistic even for the countries that are playing a hostile or adversary role," he said.

Assad's remarks came as France and the United Nations are mulling the imposition of a partial no-fly zone on Syria and Turkey is urging the UN to create buffer zones in Syria to protect the refugees.

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has recently cautioned that closing Syria's airspace entirely would be tantamount to "going to war," but he urged the international community to consider backing a no-fly zone over parts of the Arab nation.

Commenting on the recent defections from his regime, Assad downplayed their importance, saying that such defections "cleanse" the state of those who are not patriots.