Al-Assad: Coalition Airstrikes Strengthening ’ISIL’
Local Editor
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in a US television interview that he's "open" to negotiations with the United States, under the condition of preserving the country's sovereignty, and that the coalition airstrikes against "ISIL" were not defeating the militant group.
"We didn't attack the American population. We didn't support terrorists who did anything in the United States," al-Assad told CBS' "60 Minutes."
"We always wanted to have good relation with the United States. We never thought in the other direction" he added.
The Syrian leader declared that his government had had no direct contact with US officials, but noted, "As principle, in Syria we could say that every dialogue is a positive thing, and we are going to be open to any dialogue with anyone, including the United States, regarding anything based on mutual respect."
Further to the point, asked how much benefit he was getting from the strikes in Syria that began last September, al-Assad replied: "Sometimes you could have local benefit but in general if you want to talk in terms of "ISIL", actually "ISIL" has expanded since the beginning of the strikes."
The head of the Syrian state explained that US-led military action against "ISIL", including strikes inside Syria that began this past September, did not conquer the terror group. On the contrary, the strikes increased "ISIL" recruiting to an estimate of 1000 recruits monthly.
When asked why the West questions his legitimacy as president, al-Assad said the West was used to having "puppets" and "not independent leaders, or officials in any other country."
In reply to a question concerning the circumstance that would force President al-Assad to leave power, the Syrian leader declared: "When I don't have the public support, when I don't represent the Syrian interests, and values."
He added: "I don't determine. I sense. I feel. I'm in contact with them;" as a response to a question about how he determined what support he had among Syrians.
Besides, the Syrian President compared "ISIL" to the rulers of Saudi Arabia, saying the two were one and the same and had similar ideology - "it's the Wahhabi ideology" said al-Assad.
Al-Assad concluded that Syria sought regional stability "because stability is very important."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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