Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad, says he won't step down

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad says he has no intention of stepping down.

In an interview with German television, Mr Assad said Syria is facing a national challenge, but a president should not run away from a challenge.

He accused the United States of assisting what he called gangs to destabilise Syria.

He is due to hold fresh talks with the international envoy, Kofi Annan, who is on his third visit to the country.

The BBC's Julie Peacock reports.