Syria's Assad refutes "buffer zone"
- 12 years ago
ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday that talk of a Western-imposed buffer zone on Syrian territory was unrealistic and that the situation in his country, where rebels have been fighting to overthrow him, was "better."
Assad was speaking in a rare interview with pro-government Syrian Addounia television, excerpts of which were broadcast by the station on Wednesday.
The president, responding to rumours of his whereabouts since a July bombing in Damascus, said he was speaking from the presidential palace in the capital.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:
"I can however cut short all the explanations with one sentence and that is that we are moving forward. Practically the situation is better."
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:
"I believe that talk about a buffer zone is not practical, even for those countries which are playing a hostile role (against Syria). Despite the many mistakes that are in existence there are strong ties between the policies of these nations and the beliefs of these people."
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Tuesday that talk of a Western-imposed buffer zone on Syrian territory was unrealistic and that the situation in his country, where rebels have been fighting to overthrow him, was "better."
Assad was speaking in a rare interview with pro-government Syrian Addounia television, excerpts of which were broadcast by the station on Wednesday.
The president, responding to rumours of his whereabouts since a July bombing in Damascus, said he was speaking from the presidential palace in the capital.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:
"I can however cut short all the explanations with one sentence and that is that we are moving forward. Practically the situation is better."
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:
"I believe that talk about a buffer zone is not practical, even for those countries which are playing a hostile role (against Syria). Despite the many mistakes that are in existence there are strong ties between the policies of these nations and the beliefs of these people."