Assad: American threats of attack on Syria will not stop our fight against US-backed terrorists

Syrian president meets with Iranian officials, vows Syria "capable of confronting any external aggression"; Syrian Deputy FM says Obama showed "hesitation and confusion" in backtracking on immediate action.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF
assad making a small sign 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
assad making a small sign 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
President Bashar Assad said on Sunday Syria was capable of confronting any external attack after US President Barack Obama said there should be a military strike on Syria.
"Syria ... is capable of confronting any external aggression," state television quoted Assad as saying at a meeting with Iranian officials.
"The American threats of launching an attack against Syria will not discourage Syria away from its principles ... or its fight against terrorism supported by some regional and Western countries, first and foremost the United States of America."
Syria generally refers to rebels fighting to topple Assad as "terrorists".
Following Obama's Saturday speech in which he said he would seek congressional authorization to launch a military attack on Syria, Damascus said that the US president was full of hesitation and confusion.
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"It is clear there was a sense of hesitation and disappointment in what was said by President Barack Obama yesterday. And it is also clear there was a sense of confusion as well," Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said on Sunday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Sunday that world opinion was against any international attack on Iran's key ally Syria, citing the British parliament's rejection of military action.
"The Americans don't see the wave of hatred of people against their warmongering policies and continue to pursue military actions against Syria, even though these actions have been thwarted in the UN Security Council and the British parliament has stated its opposition to military activity," Larijani said, according to the ISNA news agency.
Obama said on Saturday that he believed the US should take military action against Damascus for its apparent use of chemical weapons, but he would first seek congressional consent, a move likely to delay an attack for at least 10 days.
"A decision to wage war on Syria is a criminal decision and an incorrect decision. We are confident that we will be victorious," Mekdad said.