President Bashar al-Assad confident of victory in Syria

During a televised interview on the pro-government Addounia channel, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad looked confident when vowing victory but admitted it might take longer than hoped.

Claiming to have put a hitch in the rebels’ momentum, Assad said government forces were now pushing rebel forces back.

The President was intent on conveying an image of  strength during the first interview since attacks began escalating last month by opposition force which appeared to threaten his hold on power.

Assad said the battle was not just regional but also being fought on a global level and while progress was being made, more time was needed to win.

Reacting to queries on his lack of public presence, Assad claimed that defeating the opposition would require a long struggle but he will be with the people in Damascus, in the presidential palace.

However, his comments were dismissed by Opposition activists who claimed them to be misguided and misleading while calling Assad delusional.

Assad’s army has suffered from large numbers of casualties and large-scale desertions as Damascus, Aleppo and Homs remain essential under rebel control.

The president, however, predicted a positive outlook despite losing four of his top security aides, including his brother-in-law, during the bombing while stating that he would not be chased away from the capital.