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Assad: Defectors are cowards

In interview with Syrian TV, embattled leader says defections 'cleaning' state of unpatriotic officials; blames Ankara for bloodshed

Syrian President Bashar Assad blamed the Turkish government on Wednesday for violence in a 17-month-old uprising in the country, in which thousands have died.

 

"Turkey bears direct responsibility for the blood being shed in Syria," Assad told the local television channel Addounia.

 

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In the interview, Assad appeared to make light of the significant number of defections, some of them senior military and political officials — including the prime minister — and diplomats.

 

"Sometimes we had information (on defections) and we would discuss it. Some would suggest we stop them. But we said no, stopping them isn't the right thing to do, letting them leave is the right thing to do ... let's facilitate their exit," he said.

 

According to the embattled Syrian leader, the defectors are either corrupt people who left in exchange for money or cowards whose lives have been threatened.

 

Assad, who is struggling to put down a 17-month-old revolt, said such officials should be allowed to leave because it was "cleaning" the state of unpatriotic officials.

 

"Defections are a mechanism of self-cleansing of the nation," the Syrian leader said. "If there is a Syrian citizen who knows of someone who wishes to flee but is hesitant to do so he should encourage him," he said with a smile.

 


אסד מתראיין. "נמצא בארמון" (צילום: AP)

'There is a strong bond.' Assad during interview (Photo: AP)

 

Assad also scoffed at an idea being championed by Turkey of creating buffer zones within Syria to receive those displaced by the conflict, in advance excerpts of the interview screened by the private channel.

 

"I can summarize in one phrase: we are progressing, the situation on the ground is better but we have not yet won -- this will take more time," Assad said.

 

"Talk of buffer zones firstly is not on the table and secondly it is an unrealistic idea by hostile countries and the enemies of Syria," he added.

 

French President Francois Hollande said on Monday France was working with its partners on the possible establishment of such buffer zones, which are aimed at preventing those displaced by the fighting flooding over the borders into neighboring states.

 

Appearing confident and relaxed, the Syrian leader paid tribute to government security forces, who have been fighting rebels nationwide, for their "heroic conduct."

 

"Despite several mistakes, there is a strong bond" between the regime and the Syrian people, Assad insisted, boasting the support of the majority of the country's population.

 

"Everyone is worried about their country, that is normal. But they (rebels) will not be able to spread fear, they never will," he said.

 

"I say to Syrians, destiny is in your hands, and not in the hands of others."

 

Assad also addressed Syria's alliance with Iran, which is helping him fight the rebels.

 

"We were told to distance ourselves from Iran, and our answer was that as long as Iran is by our side, how will we distance ourselves from them? We were asked to conspire against the resistance in Palestine and Lebanon," he claimed.

 

Assad's comments come a day after a car bomb rocked the funeral of two government loyalists in a Damascus suburb killing 27 people and as his army kept up its bombardment of rebel strongholds in the east of the capital.

 

Fighting between rebels and loyalist troops raged in several flashpoints, including in the commercial hub Aleppo, northwestern Idlib province and eastern Deir Ezzor.

 

Activists say around 25,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Assad's rule broke out in March last year, while the United Nations says more than 214,000 people have fled to neighboring countries.

 

Reuters, AFP, AP contributed to the report

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.29.12, 23:44
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