Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported that the Syrian president met with his country's senior officials and army commanders in light of preparations for an American strike, and said “This historic battle will see us victorious.”
According to the report, President Assad said to senior leaders that "since the beginning of the crisis in Syria, you know that we have been waiting for the moment that our true enemy intervenes."
He further pointed out that the Syrian army and people possess powerful spirit to defend their country.
President Barack Obama claimed on Wednesday that the Syrian government would face "international consequences" for last week's deadly chemical attack, but made clear any military response would be limited to avoid dragging the United States into another war in the Middle East.
Hundreds of people were killed and scores of others were injured in a chemical attack in the Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar on August 21.
The Syrian government has vehemently denied the accusations on the use of chemical weapons, saying the chemical attack was carried out by the militants themselves as a false-flag operation.
NTJ/NJF