The Syrian president has made a defiant speech blaming foreign interference for the violence in his country.<br /><br />In a televised speech on Tuesday, he accused the Arab League of hypocrisy for lecturing Syria on democracy and reform.<br /><br />Assad claimed he never ordered anyone to open fire on anti-government protesters. However, opposition activists said at least 28 people were killed across the country on Tuesday alone as part of the government's security crackdown.<br /><br />Assad asked what right other Arab governments, including the absolute monarchies of the Gulf, had to lecture Syria about democracy or reform.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Antakya, Turkey.
