In this image from a Syrian state television interview broadcast Sunday Aug 21 2011, President Bashar Assad says his security forces are making gains against a 5-month-old uprising and says his government is in no danger of falling. He repeated plans to introduce reforms to Syria, one of the most authoritarian states in the Middle East. He said a committee to study reforms would need at least six months to work. He said the situation in Syria "may seem dangerous ... but in fact we are able to deal with it." (AP Photo/ Syrian state tv via APTN)
In this image from a Syrian state television interview broadcast Sunday Aug 21 2011, President Bashar Assad says his security forces are making gains against a 5-month-old uprising and says his government is in no danger of falling. He repeated plans to introduce reforms to Syria, one of the most authoritarian states in the Middle East. He said a committee to study reforms would need at least six months to work. He said the situation in Syria "may seem dangerous ... but in fact we are able to deal with it." (AP Photo/ Syrian state tv via APTN)
In this image from a Syrian state television interview broadcast Sunday Aug 21 2011, President Bashar Assad says his security forces are making gains against a 5-month-old uprising and says his government is in no danger of falling. He repeated plans to introduce reforms to Syria, one of the most authoritarian states in the Middle East. He said a committee to study reforms would need at least six months to work. He said the situation in Syria "may seem dangerous ... but in fact we are able to deal with it." (AP Photo/ Syrian state tv via APTN)
In this image from a Syrian state television interview broadcast Sunday Aug 21 2011, President Bashar Assad says his security forces are making gains against a 5-month-old uprising and says his government is in no danger of falling. He repeated plans to introduce reforms to Syria, one of the most authoritarian states in the Middle East. He said a committee to study reforms would need at least six months to work. He said the situation in Syria "may seem dangerous ... but in fact we are able to deal with it." (AP Photo/ Syrian state tv via APTN)
Supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad shout slogans and wave their national flag, as they protest to show their solidarity to their president, in Damascus, Syria, on Friday Aug. 19, 2011. Assad, who inherited power from his father in 2000, is facing the most serious international isolation of his rule. On Thursday, the United States and its European allies demanded he step down. Syrian security forces killed at least 20 protesters Friday despite promises by President Bashar Assad that the military operations against the 5-month-old uprising are over. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)
A supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad waves his country's flag, as he protests to show his solidarity to his President, in Damascus, Syria, on Friday Aug. 19, 2011. Assad, who inherited power from his father in 2000, is facing the most serious international isolation of his rule. On Thursday, the United States and its European allies demanded he step down. Syrian security forces killed at least 20 protesters Friday despite promises by President Bashar Assad that the military operations against the 5-month-old uprising are over. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)
BEIRUT (AP) ? Syrian President Bashar Assad said Sunday his regime was in no danger of collapse and warned against any foreign military intervention in his country as the regime tries to crush a 5-month-old popular uprising.
In his fourth public appearance since the revolt against his family's 40-year rule erupted in mid-March, Assad insisted that security forces were making inroads against the uprising.
"It may seem dangerous ... but in fact we are able to deal with it," he told state-run TV in a 40-minute interview. It was the first time he has agreed to take any questions, although the state-owned network is a mouthpiece for the regime.
The Syrian leader has come under mounting criticism over the brutal military offensive that has used tanks, snipers and gunboats to try to crush the uprising. Most recently, the United States and its European allies on Thursday demanded he step down. Late Saturday, former ally Turkey called Syria's situation "unsustainable."
Human rights groups and witnesses accuse Syrian troops of firing on largely unarmed protesters and say more than 2,000 people have been killed.
In the interview, Assad also said he expected a parliamentary election to be held in February 2012, along with a series of reforms that would let political groups other than his Baath party to participate.
Assad's remarks were unlikely to have much resonance with Syria's opposition, which says it has lost all confidence Assad's overtures for reform while his security forces open fire on peaceful protesters.
The interview was similar in tone and contents to other speeches he gave in the past few months in which he tried to portray confidence, stressing Syrian sovereignty and insisting the unrest was being driven by a foreign conspiracy.
The Syrian leader has come under mounting criticism over the brutal military offensive that has used tanks, snipers and gunboats to try to crush the uprising. Most recently, the United States and its European allies on Thursday demanded he step down. Late Saturday, former ally Turkey called Syria's situation "unsustainable."
On Sunday, Assad brushed off President Barack Obama's condemnation, saying it has "no value."
"I am not worried about the security situation right now, we can say the security situation is better," he said.
He warned against Libya-style military intervention, saying there will be "repercussions" to any country interfering in Syria's affairs. There have been no serious international plans to launch such an operation, in part because the opposition has said it does not want Western countries to interfere.
Associated Press
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