From Damascus, a Syrian family watches on as President Bashar al-Assad gives a defiant televised interview.<br/> <br />In the Wednesday interview, Assad accused the West of supporting al Qaeda militants in Syria's civil war.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:<br/> <br />"As they supported al-Qaeda in Afghanistan in the early stages and later paid a dear price for it; they are now supporting it in Syria, Libya and other places, and will pay a heavy price later -- in the heart of Europe and the United States."<br/> <br />He was speaking a week after Syria's rebel al-Nusra Front, one of the most effective rebel forces battling his troops, formally pledged allegiance to al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri.<br/> <br />The United States has designated the Nusra Front a terrorist organization and has sought to bolster rival rebel forces.<br/> <br />The conflict in Syria, now in its third year, started with mainly peaceful demonstrations but has descended into a bloody civil war.<br/> <br />(
