Assad Says Syria Open to Dialogue with U.S.

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Syrian President Bashar Assad is open to dialogue with the United States, the leader said in an interview with U.S. television network CBS Thursday.

Assad said such dialogue would need to be based on "mutual respect," but that so far there has been no contact from the Americans.

"But as principal, in Syria we could say that every dialogue is a positive thing," he told television journalist Charlie Rose, in excerpts of an interview to air Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes" program.

When asked about relations between Syria and the United States, Assad said there was no direct communication.

State Department officials recently said Assad will "never" be part of a negotiation to end the Syrian conflict that is now in its fifth year, but that officials from his government could be part of the process.

On March 15, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry appeared to suggest in a CBS television interview that Washington would have to talk with Assad eventually if peace was to be forged.

The suggestion alarmed opposition groups and their backers who hold Assad in particular contempt for the conflict.

But State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki later said that Kerry was referring to representatives of the Assad regime, and not Assad himself.

The United States has long said that it wants a negotiated settlement to end the Syrian war.

Comments 7
Thumb justin 27 March 2015, 07:10

"But as principal, in Syria we could say that every dialogue is a positive thing,"
There are no words to describe this man, his character, his demeanor. From our experience with him in Lebanon to his handling of the uprising in Syria, everything says this man is a criminal.

Default-user-icon roukuz (Guest) 27 March 2015, 08:08

I often think of you and honestly miss you and your aliases as you lay in pieces and tranquility at your final destination dear flamethrower...... RIP Shia Hero

Missing humble 27 March 2015, 09:42

This Butcher is the greatest criminal and assassin of our times.

Default-user-icon _mowaten_ (Guest) 27 March 2015, 10:44

shoukran bashar

Missing cedars 27 March 2015, 12:32

Butcher and in equal character as Sharon or Netanyahu or gadaffi.

Thumb freedomarch 27 March 2015, 12:44

No more barrels? Where are the millions that are displaced, hungry, sick (of you), not to mention people that lost their lives because if you Bashar Al Assad. The country was destroyed and you are to blame not the poor people that wanred some sort of reforms that you promissed but never been honest to implement instead you were preparing your death squads to perfrom what they do best. KILLING TO Shut people's mouthes.

Thumb freedomarch 27 March 2015, 12:48

No more barrels? Where are the millions that are displaced, hungry, sick (of you), not to mention people that lost their lives because if you Bashar Al Assad. The country was destroyed and you are to blame not the poor people that wanted some sort of reforms that you promissed but never been honest to implement instead you were preparing your death squads to perfrom what they do best. KILLING TO Shut people's mouthes.