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The controversial leader insisted that EU members states were actually supporting ISIS and other terrorist organisations as part of their “humanitarian” efforts. He also accused Europe of being politically weak and following their “masters" in the United States. Speaking to Belgian broadcaster VRT in Damascus, the President al-Assad said: “The EU is supporting terrorists in Syria from the very beginning. “Under different titles; humanitarians, moderates and so on. Actually, they were supporting al-Nusra (al-Qaeda in Syria) and ISIS from the very beginning, they were extremists from the very beginning, so they cannot destroy and build at the same time.”

RT•GETTY President Assad blasted the EU's role in Syria, claiming they support ISIS

European Union countries supported the people who destroyed our country, we don’t want them here President Bashar al-Assad

Western coalitions have sided with some Syriam rebel factions during the bloody civil war, which has raged for over five years, providing them with air support as they combat ISIS. More than 300,000 people have been killed and 11 million others displaced since an uprising against the government regime, who are now supported by Russia in their own fight against rebels and ISIS. President al-Assad insisted that EU nations in Syria were no more than puppets to their “masters” in America, as he continued his rant against foreign intervention in his country. He added: “If you ask any Syrian the same question, he will tell you, ‘No, we don’t accept [EU involvement], those countries supported the people who destroyed our country, we don’t want them here.’ That’s what I think.

“The Europeans don’t exist politically, they only follow the master, which is the Americans. “So, the question should be about the Americans, and the Europeans will follow and will implement what the Americans want. They don’t exist as independent states.” Al-Assad, however, praised a potential US-Russian alliance after Donald Trump said he was willing to set aside any differences between his country and Vladimir Putin to put an end to ISIS. Speaking on Fox News, the American President claimed it was vital his administration “get on with Russia”, so they can collaborate to eradicate Islamic terrorism globally.

The fight against ISIS Fri, November 18, 2016 The battle against ISIS militants (also abbreviated as Daesh, ISIL, IS and Islamic State) continues in the Middle East. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 183 Forces battle against ISIS