Assad Remains Defiant, Claims Rebels Will Not Win

Says he welcomes dialogue

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says opposition fighters will not be victorious in their fight against the government, but says the "doors of dialogue" remains open.

In comments, to be published by Egyptian weekly Al-Ahram Al-Araby Friday, Assad says the armed groups exercise terrorism against the state, are not popular within society and will not be victorious in the end.