The US and Russia have reached an understanding that Assad will seek refuge in a third country as part of the future peace process aiming to put an end to the conflict, reported the London-based Al-Hayat newspaper on Thursday.
An unnamed senior diplomatic source with knowledge of the agreement told al-Hayat newspaper that US Secretary of State John Kerry has already informed a number of his Arab counterparts on the understanding, but stressed that “the timing of the move and its political context is still not clear.”
The source added that the understanding was welcomed by members of the UN Security Council, Jerusalem Postreported.
Kerry added that “US and Russia are reaching agreements on the behind-the-scenes diplomatic channels involving military operations against ISIS – which also includes the departure of Assad to another country at some point.”
However, according to the report, based on a Security Council diplomat, a timetable was not set for Assad’s departure; “the timing of the move and its context in the political process is still not clear to everyone so far,” Ynet News reported.
The report was released a day after Assad was quoted by Russian media saying that it would not be difficult to agree on a new Syrian government including opposition figures, but his opponents responded on Wednesday that no administration would be legitimate while he remained in office.
Opposition negotiators immediately dismissed Assad’s remarks, saying that a political settlement could be reached only by establishing a transitional body with full powers, not another government under Assad.
The United States also rejected Assad’s comments. “I don’t know whether he envisioned himself being a part of that national unity government. Obviously that would be a nonstarter for us,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.
