Syria's Assad says public support sustains his presidency

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that if it wasn't for the public support, he wouldn't still be a president.

In an interview with a Danish TV published Thursday, Assad said his country has been subject to a "campaign of lies" over the past six years, in an apparent reference to Western accusations against the Syrian army and government.

The president denied giving orders to shell hospitals and schools.

"Mistakes always happen in any war," he said. "Claims that we give orders to destroy hospitals and schools or to kill civilians" are "untrue and contradicts our interests."

"If we were killing civilians, or destroying hospitals and committing all these kinds of atrocities, and facing the major powers, how can I still be a president after nearly six years of war?"

"I am not (a) superman. If I wasn't enjoying the public support, I wouldn't be here," he said.

"I am here because we enjoy the support, and protect the Syrians, and our support refutes all these allegations," Assad said. "The outcome speaks for itself."

Major superpowers have recently accused the Syrian military of targeting civilians and destroying hospitals, particularly in the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo city.

The Syrian army denied the accusations and announced on Wednesday that airstrikes on eastern Aleppo would be cut down. Endit