Syrian President denies involvement in the Houla massacre

Syrian President Bashar al Assad denied today that his government had anything to do with last week's gruesome Houla massacre, saying not even ``monsters'' would carry out such an ugly crime.

In a televised speech to parliament, Assad said his country is facing a ``real war'' and blamed foreign-backed terrorists and extremists for the bloodshed.

He also pledged to press ahead with his military crackdown. Listen