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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Syrian President Bashar Al Assad described Sunday talks towards a political solution to the ongoing war in Syria as “hollow” and “meaningless.”

During a televised speech before local dignitaries in the Syrian capital, Damascus, the Syrian president also said that the army faced a shortfall in manpower and may have to give up positions in order to hold on to others of greater importance in its war with insurgents.

“The army is capable ... Everything is available, but there is a shortfall in human capacity," Assad said. He said groups fighting to topple him had received increased backing from their state sponsors.

"Every inch of Syria is precious," Assad added.

Fighting erupted in Syria in 2011 and has since claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians and displaced millions.