Despite a rapidly deteriorating conflict that has left thousands dead in nearly 18 months of violence, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says "the situation is much better."
"This military is carrying out its duties. The armed forces, the police and the security forces are carrying out heroic duties with every sense," al-Assad said in an interview to air Wednesday on the pro-government Al-Dounia TV.
The station released snippets of the interview Tuesday.
Al-Assad has consistently said government forces are battling terrorists in the nation, a term the regime uses to describe those seeking the president's ouster.
"If there's one Syrian citizen who knows one of these men who is hesitant and has that desire to desert (the terrorist groups), let him encourage him to do so," he said.
Shelling follows brief rebuild in Daraya Child fighter with AK-47 on Syria border Life in Daraya, Syria, before massacre
The president said the destiny of Syrians is in their hands, and he maintained that he remains at the presidential palace in Damascus.
"The battle is a battle of perseverance," he said. "But we will go over all of this and explain it with one sentence, and that is we are moving forward. Realistically, the situation is better."
Al-Assad rarely gives interviews but has appeared in public at various times. On Sunday, he met with senior Iranian officials in Damascus but did not give a speech. A week earlier, he attended prayer services at a mosque in the capital.
CNN
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