FILE - In this Sunday, June 17, 2012 file photo, protesters chant slogans against the Syrian regime and Russia's support of President Bashar Assad as they hold a burned banner depicting Assad, right, and his brother, Maher Assad, left, in the southern port city of Sidon, in Lebanon. With even his most powerful ally, Russia, losing faith in him, President Bashar Assad may appear to be heading for a last stand against rebel forces who have been waging a ferocious battle to overthrow him for nearly two years. But Assad still has thousands of elite and loyal troops behind him, and analysts say that even if he wanted to give up the fight, it's unclear those around him would let him abandon ship and leave them to an uncertain fate. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)
BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian President Bashar Assad says his country is being subjected to an unprecedented attack and says the conflict can only be solved through a popular movement.
Assad spoke today in a rare speech addressing the nation, his first since June.
As in previous speeches, he said his forces were fighting groups of "murderous criminals" and jihadi elements and denied there was an uprising against his family's decades-long rule.
He struck a defiant tone, saying Syria will not take dictates from anyone.
He called on all Syrians to take part in an initiative that would end the nearly 22-month old conflict, but did not give any details on the plan.