The Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, has said he is confident he has the continuing support of key allies Iran and Russia, BBC News reports.

A fresh push is under way to resolve Syria's four-year conflict, leading to speculation Assad could be forced out to reach a settlement.

But Assad said Russia and Iran did not abandon their friends.

Meanwhile France insists that the "neutralization" of the Syrian leader was essential to ending the crisis. French President Francois Hollande said: "We must reduce the terrorist influence without maintaining Assad. The two are bound up together."

Iran and Russia though have maintained he needs to be part of a political solution.

Assad, speaking to Al-Manar, a Lebanese TV station run by his Hezbollah allies, said there was no imminent breakthrough in sight.