Syria minister Faisal Mekdad says 'we are winning the war'

Syria's deputy foreign minister has repeated the country's claim that the West is involved in an unholy alliance with jihadists of Al Qaeda in the fight against President Assad's regime.

Faisal Mekdad told the BBC's Jeremy Bowen that Syria is facing a conspiracy to destroy its independence - but insisted "we are winning the war".

"We believe the international community...have to support us," he added.