Bashar al-Assad vows zero tolerance to "terrorists"

Syrian president said his country would not relent in fighting against "militants and terrorists," Syria's state-run news agency SANA reported Monday, as the opposition said dozens had been killed by government troops near the capital Damascus.

"No appeasement can be pursued with the militant and terrorist groups," SANA quoted al-Assad as telling a delegation of Lebanese politicians in Damascus on Sunday, DPA reported.

"Syria will firmly face terrorism in all its forms side by side with the government's continuation to implement the political programme to solve the crisis."

Damascus has repeatedly described the rebels fighting to oust al-Assad as "terrorists" financed by foreign powers.
Al-Assad said the situation in Syria was improving due to what he called "Syrians' steadfastness and their rallying around their valiant army."
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the number of the people killed in an attack by government troops in the town of Jadidat al Fadl, south-west of Damascus, had risen to 110.

European Union foreign ministers are expected Monday to ease sanctions on Syria, including an oil embargo, in a goodwill gesture towards the Syrian opposition.

The move will help import oil from and invest in rebel-held areas, say observers.