Syria's President said today that he will not step down because he still has his people's support.

Bashar Assad was making his first speech since agreeing last month to an Arab League plan to halt the government's crackdown on dissent.

He said a "foreign conspiracy" is causing unrest in his country but it is failing.

"Nobody is deceived any more," he said.

Mr Assad has made few public appearances since the anti-government uprising began in March, inspired by the revolutions sweeping the Arab world.

The regime's crackdown on dissent has killed thousands and led to international isolation and sanctions.

However Assad denied that he had ever ordered any shooting.