Syrian President President Bashar al-Assad says he’s okay with peace talks with the opposition in principle.  But any peace agreement would have to be approved by public referendum.

Assad spoke in an interview with Lebanon's Hezbollah-owned Al Manar TV, and referred to the peace talks being cobbled together by the US and Russia to take place in Geneva.

He laid the civil war off on old rivals across the Golan Heights, saying there is “a world war being waged against Syria and the policy of [anti-Israeli] resistance ... [but] we are very confident of victory.”

But the rebel groups are having a hard time coming together on the talks.  Syrian National Coalition header George Sabra said his group “not take part in any international conference or any such efforts so long as the militias of Iran and Hezbollah continue their invasion of Syria.”

As many as 4,000 Hezbollah fighters have reportedly crossed over to join up with Syrian forces against the rebels.  Hezbollah and its sponsors in Iran, as well Russia side with the Syrian government.  The US, UK, France, Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia back the rebel coalition, which inconveniently contains some al Qaeda factions.

Assad also vowed to complete the purchase of Russian S-300 missiles, which Moscow says is an old order that will allow Damascus to protect itself from foreign powers.  The S-300 are sophisticated missiles that would put Assad in a position to oppose Israeli missile and air strikes, as well as any no-fly zones imposed by foreign powers.