Rouhani Says 'Everyone Has Accepted' Assad Should Stay

W460

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Sunday he saw a widespread acceptance among major powers that Syrian leader Bashar Assad should stay in office.

"I think today everyone has accepted that President Assad must remain so that we can combat the terrorists," Rouhani told CNN.

Iran and Russia are the key allies of Assad, who has faced Western demands that he step down amid a war that has killed more than 240,000 people and caused four million to flee.

But the United States has been hitting Islamic State extremists opposed to Assad, with France on Sunday launching its first strike.

"In Syria, when our first objective is to drive out terrorists and combatting terrorists to defeat them, we have no solution other than to strengthen the central authority and the central government of that country as a central seat of power," said Rouhani, who is visiting New York for the U.N. General Assembly.

Iran's Shiite clerical regime has voiced concern over a future without Assad, a largely secular leader from the heterodox Alawite movement.

But Rouhani said he also saw a future role for opponents of Assad.

"As soon as this movement reaches the various levels of success and starts driving out the terrorists on a step-by-step basis, then other plans must be put into action so as to hear the voices of the opposition as well," Rouhani said.

The reform-minded Rouhani has reached a landmark denuclearization accord with major powers, a step in reconciliation with the United States, the traditional bugbear of Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

But Rouhani said that Iran was not in direct talks about Syria with the United States.

Comments 4
Missing humble 28 September 2015, 00:41

I did not accept.

Thumb westernlebanese 28 September 2015, 08:13

Who is everyone exactly?? The politicians? What about the people? Are we not human? Because I definitely do not accept!

They lost the war in Yemen... Just wait until they lose the war in Syria :)

Missing coolmec 28 September 2015, 08:37

I am no Assad supporter but I do think he should remain in power. The alternative is absolutely scary

Default-user-icon Darwr101 (Guest) 28 September 2015, 19:30

The alternative of IS and Nusra is scary...and there are no credible opposition figures to speak of. Sharaa is under virtual house arrest and will not be allowed to stand in Assad's shoes...he will be murdered before that ever happens!