I might seek re-election in 2014 if Syrians want me to, Assad says
Iran Press TV
Thu May 30, 2013 8:5PM GMT
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he would seek reelection if the Syrian people want him to contest the 2014 presidential polls.
"This question will be decided at the given moment. If I feel there is any need for my candidacy, and that will be decided after consulting the people, I will not hesitate to stand," AFP quoted Assad as saying in an interview broadcast by the Lebanese television Al-Manar on Thursday.
"But if I feel that the Syrian people does not want it... I will not stand," he added.
Earlier in the day, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said that Assad will remain president at least until scheduled elections in 2014 and might seek another term in office.
“From now until the next elections, President Bashar Assad is president of the Syrian Arab Republic,” he said.
“Will Assad run in 2014 or not? This depends on the circumstances in 2014 and on the popular will. If the people want him to run, he will run. If the people don’t want that, I don’t think he will. Let us not jump the gun,” Muallem added
The Syria crisis began in March 2011, and many people, including large numbers of soldiers and security personnel, have been killed in the violence.
The Syrian government says that the chaos is being orchestrated from outside the country, and there are reports that a very large number of the militants are foreign nationals.
Damascus says the West and its regional allies, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, are supporting the militants.
MN/MHB
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