Bashar al-Assad insists killings and torture in Syria are beyond his control

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Syria's embattled president, Bashar al-Assad, has defiantly rebuffed allegations from around the world that his government is waging a bloody crackdown on protesters, which the UN says has led to the deaths of 4,000 people.

Assad used an interview with Barbara Walters, who hosts the US ABC news network, to insist that documented cases of killings, torture and other maltreatment, characterised by the UN as "crimes against humanity", were carried out by individuals outside his control.

"They're not my forces," he insisted. "They are military forces who belong to the government. I don't own them. I'm president. I don't own the country."

In response to the interview, the Syrian National Council, the largest opposition group, said: "Assad has proved he is delusional and mixed up. By law, Assad is the commander in chief of the army and responsible for every bullet fired at a civilian in Syria. He will be tried and brought to justice, sooner or later."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/07/bashar-assad-syria-killings-torture

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Assad should have stayed in London and practiced optometry

Everyone would have been a lot better off.

Except maybe the Syrian people. Whoever is in charge since Bashir isn't would still be in charge.

[No Elephants]

2. Geez. Even Saddam didn't try that excuse.