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Syria unrest: Assad says his government will not fall Syria unrest: Assad says his government will not fall
(about 3 hours later)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his government is in no danger of falling, despite months of protests.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his government is in no danger of falling, despite months of protests.
In an interview on state TV, he said the solution in Syria was a political one, but violence should be dealt with firmly by the security forces.In an interview on state TV, he said the solution in Syria was a political one, but violence should be dealt with firmly by the security forces.
He said steps were being taken to introduce a multi-party system and elections might be held in February.He said steps were being taken to introduce a multi-party system and elections might be held in February.
Earlier, a UN team arrived in Syria to assess humanitarian needs, as security forces continue to suppress protesters. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council is set to meet in Geneva to discuss the crisis, which has left some 2,500 dead.
The council is expected to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian government for its actions against demonstrators opposed to President Assad.
Earlier this month, UN investigators accused the Syrian security forces of widespread human rights violations.
On Friday, at least 40 people were reportedly killed across the country.On Friday, at least 40 people were reportedly killed across the country.
The US and several EU members have called on Mr Assad to step down.The US and several EU members have called on Mr Assad to step down.
Syria's protests first erupted in mid-March. The demonstrators are demanding the removal of President Assad, whose family have been in power for 40 years.Syria's protests first erupted in mid-March. The demonstrators are demanding the removal of President Assad, whose family have been in power for 40 years.
Human rights groups believe that about 2,000 people have been killed and thousands arrested since March. Human rights groups say that about 2,000 civilians and 500 soldiers have been killed and thousands arrested since March. The government has blamed the unrest on "terrorist groups".
The government has blamed the unrest on "terrorist groups".
'Secret maps''Secret maps'
In Sunday's interview, Mr Assad warned that any foreign military intervention would backfire on those who carry it out.In Sunday's interview, Mr Assad warned that any foreign military intervention would backfire on those who carry it out.
"Any action against Syria will have greater consequences than they can tolerate," the president said."Any action against Syria will have greater consequences than they can tolerate," the president said.
"First, because of Syria's geopolitical location and second because of Syrian capabilities.""First, because of Syria's geopolitical location and second because of Syrian capabilities."
He also said opponents of the regime were increasingly resorting to violence, carrying out attacks on the military, the police and other security forces.He also said opponents of the regime were increasingly resorting to violence, carrying out attacks on the military, the police and other security forces.
Mr Assad added that it was US President Barack Obama and other Western leaders who should be standing down because of the blood they had spilled in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and because of their political, economic and social bankruptcy at home.Mr Assad added that it was US President Barack Obama and other Western leaders who should be standing down because of the blood they had spilled in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and because of their political, economic and social bankruptcy at home.
The interview was Mr Assad's fourth public appearance since the protests began.The interview was Mr Assad's fourth public appearance since the protests began.
It came as a UN delegation has arrived in Syria to assess humanitarian needs.It came as a UN delegation has arrived in Syria to assess humanitarian needs.
The team has been told it can visit all trouble spots, but the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says there is some scepticism about how free its movements will be.The team has been told it can visit all trouble spots, but the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says there is some scepticism about how free its movements will be.
Despite recent assurances from the president that the army and police operations against civilians had stopped, activists' accounts and internet video postings indicate nothing much has changed.Despite recent assurances from the president that the army and police operations against civilians had stopped, activists' accounts and internet video postings indicate nothing much has changed.
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted
Syria's anti-government protests, inspired by events in Tunisia and Egypt, first erupted in mid-March after the arrest of a group of teenagers who spray-painted a revolutionary slogan on a wall. The protests soon spread, and human rights activists and opposition groups say 1,700 people have died in the turmoil, while thousands more have been injured.
Although the arrest of the teenagers in the southern city of Deraa first prompted people to take to the streets, unrest has since spread to other areas, including Hama, Homs, Latakia, Jisr al-Shughour and Baniyas. Demonstrators are demanding greater freedom, an end to corruption, and, increasingly, the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
President Assad's government has responded to the protests with overwhelming military force, sending tanks and troops into at least nine towns and cities. In Deraa and Homs - where protests have persisted