Syrian president refuses to flee amid civil war

(Vatican Radio) Syrian president Bashar-al Assad has told Russian television that his country is an important buffer between the west and more extreme Islamic nations.

Assad, whose country is in the midst of a violent civil war, told Russia Today that he was a Syrian who would not flee the country.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Council is facing a key decision on whether to join other groups in a more unified opposition.

The proposed Syrian National Initiative aims to merge the disparate military and political groups to form a credible alternative to the Assad government.

Listen to regional correspondent Nathan Morley’s full report: