Defiant Assad vows to liberate every inch of Syria

In a speech to parliament, the Syrian president says his forces will recapture territory lost to rebels.

Assad also stressed that Syria would be ruled by a 'unity government', not a 'transitional governing body'

 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to "liberate" every inch of the country lost to rebel groups the same way his forces recaptured the historic town of Palmyra from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

In a televised speech on Tuesday before the country's new parliament, Assad told politicians that the situation on the ground was much better than it was months ago and was improving by the day.


"As we liberated [Palmyra] and before it many areas, we will liberate every inch of Syria from their hands. Our only option is victory, otherwise Syria will not continue."

In the speech, Assad also hardened his position on UN-sponsored peace talks, stressing that Syria would be ruled by a "unity government" not a "transitional governing body" as called for by the opposition.

"We will not agree to any topic outside the statement of principles we presented to the UN. We just won't accept it," Assad defiantly told parliament.

Assad's comments were a far cry from remarks he made last July when he conceded that his army was facing a series of setbacks on the battfield and was being forced to relinquish certain areas.