Hassan al-Nouri: 'Syria needs Assad to continue leading'

Syrians have been voting in the country's presidential elections, but only in government-held areas.

One of the presidential candidates, Hassan al-Nouri, said President Bashar al-Assad should continue to lead the country.

Speaking to the BBC World Outside Source programme, Mr al-Nouri said the president was winning the fight against terrorism.

"They need Assad to continue leading this country," he said.

But he added: "I'm standing against Assad, not as an enemy".