Syria's Assad rejects talks with Qaeda-linked groups
Iran Press TV
Sun Sep 29, 2013 6:15PM GMT
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has ruled out the possibility of negotiations with al-Qaeda-linked militant groups, who ask for foreign military intervention in the Arab country.
'Regarding the militants, if they give up their arms we'll be ready to discuss with them anything like with any other citizen,' he said in an interview with Italy's state-run Rai News 24 television network on Sunday.
'We cannot discuss with al-Qaeda offshoots and organizations that are affiliated with al-Qaeda,' Assad said, adding, 'We cannot negotiate with the people who ask for foreign intervention and military intervention in Syria.'
He also vowed to abide by the UN resolution calling for the elimination of country's chemical weapons.
'Of course we have to comply. This is our history to comply with every treaty we sign,' Assad said.
The UN Security Council voted unanimously on September 27 to pass a resolution requiring Syria to eliminate its chemical weapons stockpile.
Under the document, the council 'decides, in the event of noncompliance with this resolution, including unauthorized transfer of chemical weapons, or any use of chemical weapons by anyone in the Syrian Arab Republic, to impose measures under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.'
Syria has been gripped by deadly turmoil since 2011. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.
Reports indicate that Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country.
MP/PR/SS
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
