Responding to the reports that the United States and its allies are readying for a military action against Syria after an alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus on 21 August, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Thursday that Syria would defend itself against any attack.

Syrian President said that "The Syrian country, with its resisting people and army, are determined to defeat the terrorism that Israel and western countries are supporting with an aim to split the region and to overpower the people".

He added that the threats of direct aggression against Syria will only increase their commitment to their deep-rooted principles and the independent will of Syrian people.

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council failed to reach an agreement Wednesday on a British-proposed resolution that would authorize the use of military force against Syria.

U.S. President Barack Obama said he has not yet decided on U.S. action in Syria, while Britain has already sent six warplanes to Cyprus as a "precautionary measure". Russia has also sent to ships two Mediterranean.