"I do not foresee a situation in which we can end the civil war in Syria while Assad remains in power," Obama said on the sidelines of a trade summit in Manila.
Assad's fate has become a key stumbling block to peace in Syria and a point of contention between the West and Assad's backers in Moscow and Tehran.
Obama's comments come days after meeting Assad's top backer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, which appeared to see the two sides edge closer to an agreement.
Russia, seeking to maintain its foothold in Syria, has strongly opposed Assad's ouster.
But Obama insisted Syrians would not accept Assad staying in power, after a brutal civil war that has seen his regime carry out indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
"Even if I said that was okay, I still don't think it would actually work," Obama said.
"You could not get the Syrian people -- the majority of them -- to agree to that kind of outcome."
Ending the four year war in Syria has taken on increasing urgency as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group has gained more and more territory, assets and recruits.
The militants are suspected of carrying out large-scale terror attacks in Paris, Beirut and the bombing of a Russian airliner, killing hundreds of civilians.
AFP
hurriyetdailynews.com
19/11/15
------
- The United States wants to work with other countries to provide additional weaponry to Syrian opposition forces battling Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said on Thursday.
Rhodes also told reporters at an Asia-Pacific summit in Manila that Washington was seeking a very specific commitment from Turkey to secure its border with Syria.
todayszaman.com
19/11/15
--
-
Related:
US offers up to 5 million dollars for info on key ISIS leader
Assad: Syrian Settlement Could Take Two Years After Victory Over Terrorism
Lavrov to Jubeir: Is Saudi Authorized to Decide Who Rules Syria?
Ban Ki-moon says Syrian talks 'hostage' to Assad's future
--
Obama: US Intelligence Underestimated Militants in Syria (VOA News)
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Obama: Islamic State Cannot Be Defeated Without Syria Agreement ...
ReplyDeleteU.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday efforts to defeat the Islamic State group will not succeed until there is a political agreement in Syria, and that he does not believe a settlement should leave President Bashar al-Assad in power.
"It is unimaginable that you can stop the civil war there when the overwhelming majority of people in Syria consider him to be a brutal, murderous dictator," Obama said. "He cannot regain legitimacy, and if in fact he is still in power, regardless of what outside powers do, there is still going to be large portions of the population that are fighting."
Obama spoke after meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific conference in the Philippines...............http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-islamic-state-cannot-be-defeated-without-syria-agreement/3064728.html