Syria’s Assad Defiant as Ever

A member of the Free Syrian Army holds a burning portrait of President Bashar al-Assad in Al-Qsair, on Jan. 25, 2012. In a recent interview, Assad scorned foreign intervention in the nation's civil war. Alessio Romenzi/AFP/Getty Images

In response to foreign calls for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, the embattled leader insisted that he will not leave Syria. He threatened dire consequences if foreign countries intervened in the country’s civil war.

“I am not a puppet. I was not made by the West to go to the West or to any other country,” Assad told state-owned Russia Today, or RT. It was a rare interview, which will air in full on Friday, as Assad rarely gives interviews any more, even with Syrian state-run television. 

“I am Syrian. I was made in Syria. I have to live in Syria and die in Syria,” he continued.

A number of foreign nations, including the United States, and even the head of the Arab League have called on Assad to step down. Following an uprising against Assad’s regime in March 2011, his forces have waged war against rebels. Human rights groups have decried the regime’s use of violence on the civilian population.