Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said today that Western threats to attack his country after an alleged chemical attack were based on "lies" aimed at reversing the advance of his forces near Damascus.
Assad said Western countries had become aggressive after losing their "bet" on opposition forces in the eastern suburbs of Damascus, the Associated Press reported.
In a meeting with adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ali Akbar Velayati, Assad said Western threats threaten international peace and stability and that military action against Syria would "further destabilize" the region.
The US and other Western countries have threatened military action after an alleged chemical attack by government forces on rebels that killed 40 people.
The Syrian government denies the accusations.
Russia, Syria's key ally, says Syrian Wada forces have taken full control of Douma, the last rebel stronghold in the eastern suburbs of Damascus where the attack reportedly took place.
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