In an interview with German public broadcaster ARD, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says terrorist groups are behind the killings of civilians in his country and accuses the West of destabilizing Syria.
The interview was conducted by publicist and author Jürgen Todenhöfer who has written extensively about the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Jürgen Todenhöfer: Mr President, members of the opposition and Western politicians say that you are the main obstacle to peace in Syria. Would you be ready to step down as president if this could bring peace to your country and stop the bloodshed?
Bashar al Assad: A president shouldn't run away from a challenge. And we have a national challenge now in Syria. The president shouldn't escape the situation. But on the other hand he can stay in the position of the president only when he has public support. So this question should be answered with a public answer by the Syrian people, through an election, not by the president. I can nominate myself; I can run for the election or not run; but to leave or not to leave - this is up to the Syrian people...
http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16083648,00.html