Russia Refuses Any Discussion of Al-Assad’s Resignation, US: Some Progress Reached

Local Editor

Russians refused Friday any discussions regarding the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or setting this possibility on the international table of negotiations to solve the Syrian crisis.

Diplomatic sources informed as-Safir Lebanese daily that "during Friday Geneva talks, the Russians refused to discuss these titles during the Geneva talks between the international envoy to Syria al-Akhdar Ibrahimi, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns."
In this context, reiterated that his country refuses to discuss the question of Syrian President's departure with any party, and that the "Syrians alone will decide the future of their president."

"Consultations will continue and Ibrahimi will continue his mission," the Russian diplomat highlighted, and tried to undermine the impact of Ibrahim's statements that recently angered Syria.
He further mentioned: "It's Ibrahimi's point of view, reflecting a feeling that he no longer has enough weight in the ongoing process to pressure on the parties, particularly the Syrian regime."

Meanwhile, another diplomatic source told the same daily that "the meeting reached a minimum level of agreement."
"Despite the disagreement on the issue of al-Assad's resignation, still the Geneva Accord forms a common ground and a basis for a solution," he said.
Moreover, he revealed that " the conferees agreed on the absolute powers of a transitional Syrian government."
"This formed a common point in the international tripartite meeting in Geneva," the source concluded.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Ibrahimi's talks Friday produced "some progress" but that more work was needed.

"We believe that we are making progress in concerting views on a way forward," she said, adding that there was more work to be done and that Ibrahimi was expected to talk to the Syrian opposition and government as a next step.
She said Ibrahimi was also expected to brief the Security Council by the end of the month.

Source: as-Safir Daily, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org