video transcript

A Syrian official says the government won't use chemical weapons ... at least not on its own people. At a press conference in Damascus, Syrian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jihad Madkissi says the country is in 'self-defense' mode. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, JIHAD MAKDISSI, SAYING: "Any stocks of WMD or any unconventional weapons that the Syrian Arab Republic possesses would never, would never be used against civilians or against the Syrian people during this crisis at any circumstances, no matter how the crisis would evolve, no matter how. He added that Syria would only consider using the weapons in the event of quote..."external aggression." His remarks come as rebels battle government forces in Northern city of Aleppo and in Damascus according to amateur video posted to a social media website whose content Reuters cannot independently confirm. Deborah Gembara, Reuters.