Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has used a rare interview with a Western media outlet to claim that he still has the support of the majority of his people and that “terrorists” were responsible for more than a year of violence that has killed thousands.

In an exclusive interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Assad said that it was clear that he still had the support of the Syrian people, because had he lost their support, it would have been impossible for him to remain in power, particularly in view of the fact that Western countries want him out.

He also flatly ruled out the possibility of stepping down.

"The president shouldn't run away from (a) challenge and we have a national challenge in Syria now," Assad said.

Houla massacre

The Syrian president, who inherited power from his late father in 2000, also rejected the suggestion that his soldiers were behind the widespread killings of civilians. Asked about a massacre in the central town of Houla in May, when more than 100 people were killed, Assad said this was part of a plot by his armed opponents to discredit his government.

"They committed a crime, they published videos, faked videos and they wear soldier uniforms, our army uniforms in order to say 'that was the army,'" the Syrian president said. Those killed were actually "government supporters," he added.

An investigation conducted by United Nations officials pointed the finger for the Houla massacre at government forces.

Terrorists, the US, and others

Assad said the people responsible for the violence in his country, were "a mixture, an amalgam of al Qaida (and) other extremists."

Not only that, but he said that Washington was actively supporting his opponents.

"They offer the umbrella and political support to those gangs to create destability and destabilize Syria," the president said.

He also accused Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey of supplying rebels trying to overthrow him with arms and other support.

Asked what his response would be to any attempt at military intervention by the international community, Assad said his forces would defend the country.

"Whether you are prepared or not, you've got to defend your country, but you have to be prepared," he said.

Praise for peace envoy

At the same time though, he said he was open to a non-military solution, and was prepared to enter into a dialogue with the United States.

"We never close our doors in front of any country in the world. But they closed their door."

Assad also expressed support for the man the international community had hoped could bring peace to Syria. UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan is doing a "good job," he said, adding that his six-point peace plan had so far failed because "many countries don't want (it) to succeed."

Also on Sunday, Annan arrived in Damascus, where he is to hold talks with leading Syrian officials on salvaging his peace plan, which was meant to begin months ago with a cease-fire, which has never been fully implemented.

pfd/mr (AP, dpa, Reuters)