Opposition groups such as the SNC have consistently made it a condition of participating in peace talks that Assad would go: “The SNC consider the departure of Assad a crucial condition for the success of any political settlement and that he (Assad)or those whose hands were stained in blood would have no role in any phase transitional or permanent”, Given the frosty relationships between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine, the atmosphere between Secretary of State Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were cordial at the final press conference.
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The United Nations’ Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura arrived in Damascus on Sunday, two days after world powers and regional rivals met in Vienna to try to find a solution to the country’s four-year civil war. “Bashar al-Assad and his regime is the root of the terrorism in Syria”. Militarily, it is determined to defeat the Islamic State. For their part, neither Iran nor Russian Federation ruled out his leaving.
Washington has also provided support for the so-called moderate militant groups operating against the government of President Assad.
“Basically I believe that it is up to the Syrian people who have to decide the future of President Assad”.
“In the shadow of this anarchy there will not be real elections, therefore we reject them absolutely”, said Ahmed al-Seoud, a fighter in the rebel 13th Division which has been fighting in the western Hama province.
Speaking to reporters flying with him on an overseas trip, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said this would probably not be the last significant adjustment to the anti-IS military campaign in Syria and Iraq.
“We are going to continue to innovate, to build up what works”, he said.
Friday’s developments came as missiles slammed into a crowded suburb of the Syrian capital. The attack killed at least 40 people, activists said.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the new troops will not be on a “combat mission”.
On Capitol Hill, a few lawmakers greeted the troop announcement with dismay. The group has denied the allegations and the State Department says it is looking into them.
The United States has said it is looking for signs of compromise from Tehran and Moscow at Friday’s conference, defending its decision to talk directly to Iran about the Syrian conflict for the first time.
American officials say the talks marked a significant new phase, one they hope is an endgame for Assad’s reign.
Syria’s foreign minister says “important” points were made during worldwide talks aimed at reviving the peace process but that negotiators failed to convince his government’s foes to curb their support for “terrorism”.
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But no agreement was reached on Assad.
