Assad says there would be peace in Syria in months if ....

In a wide ranging interview filmed in Damascus, he described the US-led coalition forces as 'supporting terrorists' adding that peace would come to Syria in months if they stopped bombing.

However, he praised the recent airstrikes by his country's ally Russia, who have stepped up their bombing campaign in recent weeks.

His comments come as former ISIS hostage Nicolas Hénin insisted bombings would just drive more people to join the Islamists.

The French journalist was held captive by the terrorists for ten months and believes air strikes on Syria are 'a trap'.

He said increased bombings will push people into the arms of ISIS and called for the West to win over Syrians with 'hope'.

Mr Hénin said: ‘Why are we making so many mistakes about the region? We are fuelling our enemies.'

He added: ‘Strikes on ISIS are a trap. Once people believe in a political solution, ISIS will collapse.’ 

Yesterday US president Barack Obama said that no peace in Syria would be possible if Assad remained in power.

But speaking on Czech TV, Assad said: 'Since the beginning of that (US-led) coalition, if you want to talk about facts, not opinion, since the beginning of that coalition, ISIS has expanded and the recruiting from around the world has increased.'

The when asked what would bring peace to Syria, he replied: 'When those countries that I mentioned - France, UK, US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and some other - stop supporting those terrorists.

'The next day the situation will be better and in a few months we will have full peace in Syria, definitely. If they stop.'

He also talked about the migrants that are fleeing the country describing the situation as 'sad' and said the only way he will step down is if he loses the next election. 

Turning to a showdown between Turkey and Russia over the downing of a Russian fighter jet fighter on the Turkish-Syrian border, Assad said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was playing with fire.

He added:'I think it (the downing of the warplane) has shown the real intention of Erdogan who, let's say, lost his nerve just because the Russian intervention has changed the balance on the ground.

'So the failure of Erdogan in Syria, the failure of his terrorist groups means his political demise.' 

The interview came as US Secretary of State John Kerry urged NATO allies to intensify the fight against the ISIS as Washington leads the military campaign against the extremist group.

But he said an international mediation effort that now includes Assad's backers - Russia and Iran - recognises the need to maintain the Syrian state and key services such as health and education.

He told the meeting in Brussels: 'I called on every NATO ally to step up support in the fight against ISIS, striking at the organisation's core in Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile British Prime Minister David Cameron is today urging parliament to approve British airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.

It comes after months of wrangling over whether enough Labour MPs would back military action against the country.

At the start of the 10-hour debate, Mr Cameron said: 'The threat is very real. 

'The question is this - do we work with our allies to degrade and destroy this threat and do we go after these terrorists in their heartlands from where they are plotting to kill British people, or do we sit back and wait for them?'

However, he faced a stiffening of opposition in Labour ranks after reports he urged his Conservative party at a private meeting late on Tuesday not to vote with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn 'and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers.'

(dailymail.co.uk)