Assad says resolving Syrian conflict not possible unless rebels surrender arms

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he would not negotiate with rebels until they laid down their arms.

In an extensive interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Assad said he did not believe it was possible to solve the conflict in Syria through negotiations with the rebels.

According to Gulf News, Assad said that U.S. President Barack Obama had "not even a whisper of proof" that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons.

He said that Russia is more determined than ever to support Syria.

Assad said he was not worried about his own fate, which was why he and his family had stayed in Damascus through two and a half years of conflict.

He said Syria would hold presidential elections two months before his current term ends next August and he could not yet say whether he would run, the report said.

According to the report, Assad said his government may have made errors during the initial days of the crackdown, but he still stood by its decision to fight terrorism.

Al Assad said the Syrian crisis had been prompted by forces outside the country, in particular Al Qaida fighters.