Ahead of Meeting Obama, Putin: Al-Assad’s Gov’t Essential to Save Syria from Chaos
Local Editor
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government is essential to prevent Syria from falling into the same chaos as Libya and Iraq.
"It's my deep belief that any actions to the contrary in order to destroy the legitimate government [of Syria] will create a situation which you can witness now in the other countries of the region or in other regions, for instance in Libya, where all the state institutions are disintegrated. We see a similar situation in Iraq," Putin confirmed.
In an interview with CBS's ‘60 Minutes', he reiterated that there is no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism.
"But at the same time, urging them to engage in positive dialogue with the rational opposition and conduct reform."
The Russian leader stressed that US-led coalition partners need to understand that only the Syrian people are entitled "to decide who should govern their country and how."
Charlie Rose sat down with Putin to discuss, among other issues, how the world views the Russian leader. CBS has published a preview of the interview.
Rose pointed out that some people have been referring to Putin as a ‘tsar.' Putin responded that people call him various names, but added he believes the description "does not fit me."
"It's not important how I'm called, whether these are well-wishers, friends or political opponents. It's important what you think about you, what you must do for the interest of the country which has entrusted you with the position as the head of the Russian state."
This comes as US President Barack Obama and Putin will meet in New York next week at a time of high tension in Europe and the Middle East, but the Kremlin and the White House disagreed on Thursday over the top priority for the talks.
The White House insisted the meeting would focus on eastern Ukraine.
Moscow, however, said the main focus would be on Syria, where Russia has built up its military forces in recent weeks with combat aircraft, tanks and other equipment.
Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters, "Of course, the primary topic will be Syria." Asked whether Ukraine would be discussed, he said, "Well, if time allows."
"There will be time," Obama's spokesman, Josh Earnest, retorted during a briefing in Washington. Earnest, speaking at the White House, played down the possibility for any "major announcement" from the meeting.
The leaders will be in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly on Monday morning. Peskov said the meeting would take place after Putin's speech, but Earnest declined to say when it would happen.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
- Related News
Russia’s Putin Issues New Warning to NATO
2 months ago