Iran’s Rouhani: Acceptance among major powers that Syrian leader Assad remain in power
Ahlul Bayt News Agency – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he saw a widespread acceptance among major powers that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should stay in office.
“I think today everyone has accepted that President Assad must remain so that we can combat the terrorists,” Rouhani told CNN.
“In Syria, when our first objective is to drive out terrorists and combating terrorists to defeat them, we have no solution other than to strengthen the central authority and the central government of that country as a central seat of power,” said Mr Rouhani, who is visiting New York for the UN General Assembly.
Iran has voiced concern over a future without Assad. But Mr Rouhani said he also saw a future role for opponents of Assad.
“As soon as this government reaches the various levels of success and starts driving out the terrorists on a step-by-step basis, then other plans must be put into action so as to hear the voices of the opposition as well,” Mr Rouhani said.
Meanwhile Mr Rouhani said that Iran was not in direct talks about Syria with the United States.
/129
