"The first stage of a political solution would require that regional powers stop funding and arming (the opposition), an end to terrorist operations and controlling the borders," he said in a speech in central Damascus, his first public comments in months.
"We will not have dialogue with a puppet made by the West," he said.
(Reporting by Erika Solomon; Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
CNN) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stood firm Sunday against global calls for him to step down, blaming a conspiracy for his country's turmoil and lambasting "enemies" for the incessant bloodshed.
"This is a conflict of those who wanted to take revenge against the people to fragment Syria. Those are the enemies of the people and the enemies of God. And the enemies of God will go to hell," the president told a packed auditorium of supporters.
His speech, carried live on state-run TV, is al-Assad's first since June. Since then, tens of thousands of Syrians have been killed, and the country is no closer to a resolution.
During his last publicized speech in June, al-Assad called for unity.
CNN- same artilce...."We are in a state of real war, in every aspect of the words. And when we're in a state of war, all of our politics has to be concentrated on winning this war," al-Assad said at the time.
On Sunday, the president denied his forces are behind the 21 months of violence that has wrought misery across the country.
(so not Russian helicopter parts, for gun runs)
"Many have fallen on the trap that the conflict is between the government and the opposition. ... The conflict, ladies and gentlemen, is between the homeland and its enemies -- between the people and the killers and the criminals," al-Assad said.
Battles between al-Assad's forces and rebels seeking his ouster are raging closer to the president's doorstep, with some of the fiercest fighting taking place near Damascus.
Recent reports from inside Syria suggest rebels are gaining ground.
"Our people are subjected to genocide, and our country is being destroyed as the international silence is only encouraging the regime to commit more crimes against humanity," he wrote. "Halting massacres in Syria is an international obligation everyone should bear responsibility for."
More than 60,000 people have been killed across Syria since demonstrators protested against the Syrian government in March 2011.
“Who should we negotiate with — terrorists?” Mr. Assad said. “We will negotiate with their masters.”
Who’s the puppet? Are the Syrian people who not only marched on Damascus but in rural areas thought Syria telling you to leave, maybe will call those Syrians Women and Children Marionettes. I am sure the boy on the bickle who was runned over by a Syrian tank thinks different for that boy is dead. We all saw the pictures of the tanks...the shelling....the massacre on the eve of Russia joining with special forces. Then the story with the helicopter parts being flown in and diverted to Turkey. Yet today you say the played not part in the War.
Do some more cocaine. I wish I was as delusional as you. Must be nice.
Well good luck with your coming elections.
I would say try the St. Moritz, but I doubt they will have you. You're my age I would
take stage left.
All the Best,
Sjok
