Syrian President Bashar al-Assad conducted an interview with Australian SBS News, to be aired on Friday.
Assad claims that despite the war Western governments seem to be waging on him, many have dealings with him under the table.
“They attack us politically and then they send officials to deal with us under the table, especially the security, including your [the Australian] government,” he said.
“They don't want to upset the United States. Actually most of the western officials they only repeat what the United States want them to say. This is the reality.”