NEW : Syrian government says the country is ` ` not a playground for jihad '' . al - Zawahiri 's video clip is believed to be his first since taking over al Qaeda . Loay Hussein , a prominent rights leader and member of the opposition inside Syria , was a political prisoner from 1984 to 1991 . He uses the seven - minute video to discuss Syria and address the protesters . President ' Al - Islam is the ` ` leader of criminal ##ity , the enemy of freedom , '' he says .
NEW : Syrian government says the country is ` ` not a playground for jihad '' . al - Zawahiri 's video clip is believed to be his first since taking over al Qaeda . He uses the seven - minute video to discuss Syria and address the protesters . President ' Al - Islam is the ` ` leader of criminal ##ity , the enemy of freedom , '' he says .