In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Iran＇s Supreme National Security Council, Saeed Jalili, meets with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, August 7, 2012.
With his first televised appearance in two weeks, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is vowing to purge his country of "terrorists," as security forces continue to fight rebels trying to seize control of parts of Aleppo and Damascus.
Syrian state-run media report Assad said he would show no leniency in quashing the rebellion against his government. His comments followed a meeting with Iran＇s visiting national security council secretary, Saeed Jalili.
The visiting official pledged continued Iranian support to Syria, which he said was part of an "axis of resistance" against foreign opponents.
Earlier Tuesday, Iran said it is holding the United States responsible for the lives of 48 Iranians who were kidnapped by Syrian rebels Saturday in Damascus.
State-run media say the foreign ministry told the Swiss envoy in Tehran it expects the United States to use its influence to secure the Iranians＇ release without any preconditions.
Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Iran because Washington and Tehran do not have diplomatic relations. The United States has said it is only providing non-lethal assistance to Syrian rebels.
Iran says the 48 abducted were religious pilgrims, but the rebel Free Syrian Army described them as Iranian Revolutionary Guards on a "reconnaissance mission."
Fighting Continues
As the two officials met, Syrian forces pounded neighborhoods in the northern city of Aleppo, where the government has been trying to oust rebels. The London-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 12 people were killed in the unrest in Syria＇s commercial hub.
The group says more than 270 Syrians were killed in violence across the country on Monday, 186 of them civilians. The activists say more than 20,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in March of last year.
Government and opposition claims in Syria are difficult to verify because journalists do not have freedom of movement.
Clinton Predicts Assad Fall
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says it is time for world powers to begin planning for what will happen after Assad＇s regime falls. She commented during a Tuesday appearance with South Africa＇s foreign minister in Pretoria.
Clinton said she could not predict when the Assad government would fall, but is confident it will. She said she intends to discuss the issue with Turkish officials during her visit Saturday to Istanbul.
"The intensity of the fighting in Aleppo, the defections, really point out how imperative it is that we come together and work toward a good transition plan," she said.
Iran＇s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi is visiting Turkey to discuss the Syrian crisis with counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry says more than 1,300 Syrians had crossed the border into Turkey during the past day, raising the total number of Syrian refugees in Turkey to nearly 48,000.
Government ＇Crumbling＇
The Syrian government suffered a significant blow Monday when Prime Minister Riyad Hijab defected, two months after taking the top post. Hijab said he defected, Syrian state media said he was fired.
"I announce today my defection from the killing and terrorist regime and I announce that I have joined the ranks of the freedom and dignity revolution," Hijab said in a statement read in his name on Al-Jazeera television.
U.S. officials say the defection shows President Assad＇s government is "crumbling."
"As we＇ve said repeatedly as we＇ve seen more and more high-level defections, this is a sign that Assad＇s grip on power is loosening," said White House spokesman Jay Carney. "If he cannot maintain cohesion within his own inner circle, it reflects on his inability to maintain any following among the Syrian people that isn＇t brought about at the point of a gun."
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