Int'l consultations on #Syria continue, #Assad says more time needed to resolve ... - Xinhua http://shrtn.in/24gT7p
7:24 PM - 30 Aug 12 · Details
DAMASCUS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Wednesday that more time is needed to win the "regional and global battle" amid intensifying international diplomatic efforts over the Syria crisis. During an interview with the pro-government Addounia TV aired Wednesday evening, Assad said the situation in Syria is "practically better" and the military showdown "needs time." "We're fighting a regional and global battle and must have more time to resolve (it)," he said. He said the Syrian troops are striving for ending one of the most complicated battles, and the anti-government parties have not succeeded in injecting fear into his heart or the hearts of the Syrian people. Assad said anyone who has made mistakes or seeks to prolong the crisis should be held accountable for what they did. Meanwhile, he also held that the Turkish government should be responsible for the blood that has been shed in Syria, in reference to Turkey's role in supporting armed insurgents in the country. Referring to the suggestion of building a no-fly zone, Assad said talks about imposing buffer zones in Syria are "unrealistic." According to UN estimates, the 18-month unrest against President Assad in the Middle East country has killed more than 18,000 people and forced more refugees to flee to neighboring countries, and thus the UN Security Council planned to hold a ministerial meeting concerning the humanitarian situation in Syria on Thursday, UN spokesman Farhan Haq said on Wednesday. UN Deputy-Secretary General Jan Eliasson will brief the 15-nation council on the humanitarian situation in Syria, the spokesman said. "The UN high commissioner for refugees, Antonio Guterres, will also be on hand to provide information to the council," he added. |
