Assad: Libya scenario not to repeat in Syria

The "Libyan scenario" is unlikely to repeat in Syria as the two countries are so different, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Sunday in an interview with Russia's Channel One television. "Syria is not Libya, it is a different country from the geographical, demographic and political points of view. Any similar scenario will cost dearly to its producers. Besides, such a scenario is virtually unfeasible in Syria," Assad said. He also warned that the deterioration of the situation in Syria would exert negative impacts on the entire international community. "Syria is a country where all or most distinctive features of the Middle East countries blend together ... (and) two tectonic platforms co-exist. Any attempt to break the stability of either stratum will lead to a severe earthquake that will cause damage to the whole region and even countries located far from Syria," Assad said. The president also mentioned the losses suffered by the Syrian troops, saying that soldiers were shot to death because they were dealing with "armed people." Syria has been wracked by six months of unrest, which its government blames on foreign conspiracy and armed thugs. A recent UN statement put the number of civilians killed during the past six months in Syria at 2,600, while the Syrian government said " foreign-backed armed gangs" have killed 700 security personnel over the period.