Syrian president Bashar al-Assad gave a lengthy interview to Iranian state television tonight. A few of the highlights:

He said the Syrian government has a "duty to destroy terrorists," and said that Al Qaeda was present in Syria. He also accused the United States of "accepting" Al Qaeda when it "attacks countries it [America] does not like."

He said international pressure against Syria - diplomacy, sanctions - has not had any effect so far, and that he would not accept a "non-Syrian solution to the conflict." He also accused unnamed countries of hoping the Annan plan will fail.

He thanked Iran for "standing with Syria," and promised to show loyalty in return.