Syria's president Bashar al-Assad accused the United States of trying to destabilize Syria by providing political support to rebels fighting the regime.

"As long as you offer any kind of support to terrorists, you are partner. Whether you send them armaments or money or public support, political support in the United Nations, anywhere," al-Assad said.

In an interview with the German broadcaster ARD, al-Assad also said a months-old peace plan aimed at ending the violence has not failed, but it has yet to be implemented because countries are supporting the terrorists in Syria

Al-Assad said in the interview it should not be those outside Syria who get to decide his future, telling ARD it should be up to the Syrian people.

"The people will decide who should be our representative, the people's representative, through the ballot box," he added.

He further stated that the armed gangs in Syria carry out atrocities while they "wear soldier uniforms, our army uniforms, in order to say ‘that was the army'."

According to a text of the interview, al-Assad also refused to step down, saying he was staying put to deal with the challenge Syria is facing.

"The president shouldn't run away from challenge and we have a national challenge now in Syria," said al-Assad in English.

"The president shouldn't escape the situation, but from the other side you can stay as president, stay in this position only when you have the public support," he added.

He also said he would not rule out negotiations with any side." We never close our doors in front of any country in this world and any official as long as they want to help in solving the problem in Syria -- providing that they are serious and honest."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org