Syria requires 'more time' to end conflict: Assad

Damascus, Aug 29 (ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that his regime needs more time to end the 17-months old conflict raging across the country.

"I can summarise in one phrase: we are progressing, the situation on the ground is better but we have not yet won - this will take more time," Assad said in a television interview to be broadcast by pro-regime Al-Dunia channel.

According to The Telegraph, Assad also scoffed at Turkey's idea of creating buffer zones within Syria to receive those displaced by the conflict.

"Talk of buffer zones firstly is not on the table and secondly it is an unrealistic idea by hostile countries and the enemies of Syria," he said.

Assad also mocked those defecting from his regime, saying their departure amounted to a "self-cleansing of the government firstly and the country generally."

According to rights activists, around 25,000 people have been killed since the uprising against Assad's rule broke out in March last year.

The United Nations says over 214,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries amid ongoing bloodshed in the country. (ANI)