Obama Says Assad Must Go to End Syria Civil War
U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday said Syria's civil war would not end unless Bashar Assad leaves power, discounting suggestions the Middle Eastern leader could take part in future elections.
"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 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.
over 9 years
Tric Trac
We miss you and you bright comments.
over 9 years
To end the war, saudi arabia must stop arming takfiris alongside obama.
over 9 years
To end the problems in Lebanon, YOU MUST get out of Syria.
over 9 years
Then all of Lebanon would burn like we saw happen last week in Beirut.
Maybe that is what you people wish after all, it is the takfiris in Syria you backed in the first place.
over 9 years
to end the war, you must first admit it is a martyred moderate iranian jihadist terrorist family in your avatar.
over 9 years
Obama and the US must go to end most wars on earth.
over 9 years
LOL mowaten you're SOOOOOO funny! can I hire you as a clown?
Nice imagination though. you'd be a fun person, if only you didnt take seriously every hallucination you get.
over 9 years
lol eagleyawn, again stealing my comments... you must really be a great fan.
over 9 years
Which country are you a mowaten of...? Syria, Iraq, Iran, North Korea? .... Certainly not Lebanon!
over 9 years
truth hurts eh? but taking out the downvotes and troll puppet heads wont change anything about it.
over 9 years
Yes. They do not understand....they think they are protecting Lebanon while they are burning it from within....
over 9 years
seriously mowaten, you ran out of sources you had to quote www.salon.com? next will be www.bedroom.com ! ROFL
did your ego get hurt by 2 down votes ?
over 9 years
OMG!!!! OMG!!!! Dear God!!!!
Even on an article as important as this, I find you mowaten spamming, trolling, and terrorizing other posters. What kind of being are you? New fresh evidence surfaces by the minute that you are a paid poster but the question remains who pays you and for what exact purpose? Is it the Iranian embassy, is it the revolutionary guard, is it the syrian intelligence or the ex-KGB? These questions must be objectively answered by you and NOW!
over 9 years
The most amusing fact is, that all you minions claimed Assad would be gone within a week, about 4 and a half years have past.
Assad is still sitting in the same place he did since the war begun, he will continue to do so too.
over 9 years
It's a very good thing you mentioned Golan, now how come the takfiris that you support never attacks Israel?
The Quneitra region is under heavily Al Nusra presence, why don't they go help their so called Sunni brothers of Palestine?
Because they do not care about Israel at all, Nusra and ISIS never attacked Israel and never will.
over 9 years
Physicians for Human Rights: Syrian government strikes have decimated health care in Aleppo
http://www.startribune.com/aid-group-syrian-airstrikes-destroyed-aleppo-health-centers/351334791/
over 9 years
well said waleeeeeed121, well said.
over 9 years
21 minutes ago Russian FM Lavrov: Moscow is ready to work with the West's anti-IS coalition if it respects Syria sovereignty.
Syria's sovereignty?! What is left of it? The whole world is involved in Syria and this blood thirsty russian is talking about "sovereignty".
over 9 years
tric! English 101 tric! ENGLISH 101!!
over 9 years
it is just a big show... russia is in syria to counteract the influence iran is taking... why are they allying with western countries? LOL
over 9 years
Everyone listen to Mystic:
"Then all of Lebanon would burn like we saw happen last week in Beirut."
-- and what about the other ten bombings in the last 2.5 years???? All of these bombs started after your terrorist militia began fighting in Syria lol it's no coincidence. Think before you spew out a bunch of nonsense
over 9 years
Hey _moowaten_ who do I contact to get paid for posting on Naharnet... What is the rates, do you get paid per post, per article etc... can you put me in contact with your employer. I'm genuine here, I could use the extra money!
over 9 years
You will go before him .. lol
Obama is the weakest leader of the globe.