Damascus, June 14 (RHC)-- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says that the American, French, Turkish and Israeli troops present in his country are occupying forces.  Assad made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview with the al-Alam News Network, where he stressed that Syria's position is to support "any act of resistance, whether against terrorists or against occupying forces regardless of their nationality."
 
Referring to the presence of fighters of the Lebanese resistance movement of Hezbollah in Syria, Assad said that "the battle is long and the need for these military forces will continue for a long time."  He also stressed that there are no Iranian military bases in Syria, but Damascus will not hesitate to allow them if there is a need.

Assad also noted that it is not yet decided how the situation in Syria's militant-held southwest will be resolved.  "We are giving the political process a chance.  If that doesn't succeed, we have no other option but to liberate it by force," he said.
 
In an earlier interview with the Daily Mail, Assad accused the West of fueling the crisis in his country in an attempt to oust his government.  "We are fighting the terrorists, and those terrorists are supported by the British government, the French government, the Americans and their puppets whether in Europe or in our region," he said.

"The whole approach toward Syria in the West is, 'We have to change this government, we have to demonize this president, because they don't suit our policies anymore.'" Assad said.
 
"They tell lies, they talk about chemical weapons, they talk about the bad president killing the good people, freedom, peaceful demonstrations," he added.

Iran has been offering military advisory support to Syria at the request of the Damascus government, enabling its army to speed up its gains on various fronts against the terror groups.  Hezbollah forces have also been aiding the Syrian government clear areas bordering Lebanon of terrorist groups.

Concerned over Syrian advances, the U.S. and Israel, which support anti-Damascus terrorists, have called for Iranian advisors and Hezbollah's fighters to leave Syria.

The Tel Aviv regime launches frequent attacks against targets inside Syria in what is widely viewed as an attempt to prop up the terrorist groups that have been suffering heavy defeats at the hands of Syrian soldiers.