Mededev suggests a possible Syria without Assad
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stated that the power in Syria should be changed politically and, as a result, Bashar al-Assad can resign. However, as the prime minister noted, Assad is now “the only legally functioning authority in Syria.”
“[Bashar al Assad] can be treated differently. Some like him, some don’t. That’s not a question. The question is that now he is the only legally functioning authority in Syria, the legitimate president,” Medvedev stated in an interview with the Israeli television station Channel 2 on the eve of his visit to the country.
Medvedev added that he has considered the possibility of a new government, without the current president, emerging as a result of the negotiations in Syria.
“The creation of a new political body should occur. We don’t know whether there will be a place for Bashar al Assad or someone else in it. It’s none of our business; let Syrians decide,” he said.
Nevertheless, Medvedev stated that military assistance for Assad is in the national interest of Russia.
“Such a decision has been made by the president of our country to provide them assistance, in limited proportions, taking into account our national interests,” the prime minister stated.