Lavrov: Assad Not Planning to Leave

Local Editor

Stressing that the Syrian opposition should review its stance which demands the departure of President Bashar al-Assad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said there was still a chance for solution in the crisis-torn country.

During a joint press conference with the international peace envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, in Moscow Lavrov said both he and the Algerian diplomat agreed there was a chance for a solution to the conflict that has lasted 21 months.

"The confrontation is escalating. But we agree the chance for a political solution remains," Lavrov said alongside Brahimi.

Lavrov said that Assad was still insisting -- including most recently to Brahimi on the envoy's latest trip to Damascus -- that he would be staying in power.

"Regarding Bashar al-Assad, he repeatedly said, both publically and in private... that he is not planning to leave, that he will remain in his post," Lavrov said.

"There is no possibility to change this position."

“SYRIA OPPOSITION MUST REVIEW STANCE”

Concerning the Syrian opposition’s refusal to talks invitation offered by Moscow, Lavrov said he was "surprised" the head of the so-called Syria National Council Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib’s reaction.

He attacked the Syrian opposition for demanding "Assad's ouster as a prerequisite for everything else," saying that the opposition should review its stance regarding this issue.
He also urged the group to take part in dialogue “in the sake of Syria’s future.”

Russia said on Friday it has send invitation for Khatib to visit Russia and discuss the Syrian crisis. But Khatib showed little enthusiasm for the idea, saying such talks could not take place in Moscow and demanding that Russia apologise for its past policy.

"We have said frankly that we will not go to Moscow," Khatib told al-Jazeera television.
Meanwhile, Lavrov stressed Russia was not “supplying Syria with weapons used in the civil war.”
“We don’t supply Syria with offensive weapons as other countries are doing,” the top Russian diplomat said, hoping the strife in Syria will be ended by the beginning of the new year.

BRAHIMI: SYRIA BETWEEN HELL OR OLITICAL PROCESS

On the other hand, Brahimi bluntly stated that Syria was facing a choice between "hell or the political process", and said the world had to work tirelessly to bring about a diplomatic solution.

He gave a stark warning about the magnitude of the crisis in Syria and said it risked becoming even worse if fighting engulfs the capital Damascus which could exacerbate a refugee crisis.

"If the alternative is hell or the political process, we have all of us got to work ceaselessly for a political process," Brahimi said.

"The magnitude of the problem that exists now and the magnitude of the problem that exists tomorrow cannot be ignored," he added.

Source: Agencies

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