These are strange times indeed when embattled world leaders consider going on ABC to talk to Barbara Walters an effective and desirable form of diplomacy. That’s just what Syrian President Bashar al-Assad did Wednesday for a little international damage control after his regime came under fire for killing thousands of protesting citizens in recent months. Assad’s PR blitz failed to sway the White House, however. –KA

BBC:

Syria’s president has said that he feels no guilt about his crackdown on a 10-month uprising, despite reports of brutality by security forces.

In an interview with the US network ABC, Bashar al-Assad said he had given no orders for violence to be used against protesters but admitted “mistakes” were made.

He said he did not own the security forces or the country.

At least 4,000 people have been killed since the uprising began, the UN says.

However, Mr Assad said the UN was not credible.

Syria blames the violence on “armed criminal gangs”.

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