In a statement obtained by Xinhua, the foreign ministry said a recent statement made by US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner was "irresponsible and encourages all acts of terrorism and anarchy to serve foreign targets that contravene the Syrian people's interests."

In his statement made on Sept. 26, the US official described attacks against the Syrian army as a "normal" act.

"Syria stresses its determination to carry out its duties in preserving security and stability and in defending its citizens and their safety, as well as to confront all attempts to interfere in its internal affairs," the statement said.

In a related development, pro-Syrian regime demonstrators have pelted the car of the US ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, with eggs and tomatoes during his visit to the office of Hasan abdul Azim, a prominent Syrian opposition figure, according to a Xinhua reporter.

Xinhua