Bashar Assad denies responsibility in Syrian crackdown

Syrian president tells ABC News acts of violence have been committed by individuals, not ordered by gov't; "No government in the world kills its people, unless it's led by a crazy person" The Jeruslaem Post cites Assad as saying.

Syrian President Bashar Assad told ABC News in an interview aired Wednesday that he is not directly responsible for acts of violence committed by his security forces since an uprising against the Alawite president began in Syria in March of this year, and denied reports of torture by the Syrian army.

Speaking with Barbara Walters, Assad said that "There is a difference between a deliberate policy of repression, and the presence of some errors committed by some officials. There is a great difference," Assad reportedly said, adding that acts of violence were carried out by "individuals," and not ordered by the Syrian government.

The situation in Syria has grown increasingly chaotic in the last few months as security forces have been accused of firing live rounds on peaceful protests, Syrian soldiers and intelligence officers have defected, some of whom have helped form the the Free Syrian Army " to support the opposition.

The death toll in the embattled country has risen above 4,000 people according to the United Nations.