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Syria conflict: Bashar al-Assad gives TV address Syria's Assad denounces 'puppet' opponents in TV address
(35 minutes later)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is delivering a rare televised speech to the nation, as he continues to battle an uprising against his rule.  
Ahead of the speech, state media said it would cover "the latest developments in Syria and the region." Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is delivering a rare TV address, denouncing his opponents as "enemies of God and puppets of the West".
It comes amid fierce fighting close to the capital, Damascus. He lamented the suffering of the people in the civil war, saying a "black cloud" of pain engulfed every corner.
The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in the uprising against President Assad, which began in March 2011. Mr Assad also set out a plan involving a national dialogue conference and a referendum on a national charter.
The UN estimates that more than 60,000 people have been killed in the uprising, which began in March 2011.
'Live and die''Live and die'
The speech is Mr Assad's first public address since June.The speech is Mr Assad's first public address since June.
In an interview with Russian TV in November - his last public comments - he said he would "live and die in Syria". He rejected the Syrian opposition movement as puppets fabricated by the West, and said that Syria wanted to negotiate with the "master not the servants".
Mr Assad said Syria had not rejected diplomatic moves but insisted it would not negotiate with people with "terrorist" ideas.
His speech was interspersed with applause and chants from supporters in the opera house in central Damascus.
He said the opposition against him was not a revolution.
"That would need thinkers and be based on an idea," he said. "It needs leadership - who is the leader of this revolution?"
Mr Assad accused the rebels of stealing wheat from the people, depriving children of school and cutting off electricity and medical supplies.
He said: "Suffering is overwhelming Syrian land. There is no place for joy while security and stability are absent on the streets of our country."
Mr Assad called on every citizen to defend the country according to their means.
"The nation is for all and we all must protect it," he said.
He told them that waiting for help from others would "only lead the country to disaster".
Mr Assad's last public comments were in November, when he told Russian TV he would "live and die in Syria".
Rebel advances
Since then opposition rebels have gained control of swathes of territory in northern Syria, and have formed a more inclusive leadership council which has been recognised by the US and the EU.Since then opposition rebels have gained control of swathes of territory in northern Syria, and have formed a more inclusive leadership council which has been recognised by the US and the EU.
But opposition efforts to gain ground in and around major cities including Damascus have been met by stiff resistance and increasingly destructive air strikes.But opposition efforts to gain ground in and around major cities including Damascus have been met by stiff resistance and increasingly destructive air strikes.
On Saturday the UK-based activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported fierce fighting in Harasta and Daraya, suburbs of Damascus.On Saturday the UK-based activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, reported fierce fighting in Harasta and Daraya, suburbs of Damascus.
Diplomatic attempts to end the conflict in Syria have so far failed.Diplomatic attempts to end the conflict in Syria have so far failed.
UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has been pushing a plan approved at an international conference in June that would create a transitional government.UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi has been pushing a plan approved at an international conference in June that would create a transitional government.
But the plan leaves President Assad's role unclear. The Syrian opposition has insisted that Mr Assad must step down for the conflict to end.But the plan leaves President Assad's role unclear. The Syrian opposition has insisted that Mr Assad must step down for the conflict to end.
Mr Brahimi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a week ago that a negotiated solution was the only option.Mr Brahimi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a week ago that a negotiated solution was the only option.
On Friday, Nato began to deploy Patriot missiles to Turkey to help Turkish troops repel attacks by missiles or aircraft from Syria.On Friday, Nato began to deploy Patriot missiles to Turkey to help Turkish troops repel attacks by missiles or aircraft from Syria.