Syria's Assad - Referendum on national charter

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has delivered a rare TV address, denouncing his opponents as "enemies of God and puppets of the West".

He lamented the suffering of the people in the civil war, saying a "black cloud" of pain engulfed every corner.

Mr Assad also set out a plan involving a national dialogue conference and a referendum on a national charter.

He said Syria "accepts advice but does not accept submission", adding that "anything agreed inside Syria or outside Syria should be based on the decision of the people".