Syria’s presidency aims to fight terrorism before change initiatives

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian presidency said on Tuesday, October 27, political initiatives could not work in Syria before terrorism had been wiped out, sticking by its long-held position on how to end the war after its Russian allies called for new elections, Reuters reports.

The presidency said in a statement it was clarifying reports that President Bashar al-Assad had told a Russian delegation on Sunday he would be ready to hold early parliamentary and presidential elections called for by his allies in Moscow.

In a statement, the presidency said the Syrian state would welcome any political solution approved by the Syrian people that preserves national unity.

But it added that Assad had repeatedly said that the defeat of terrorism must come before any initiative.

"No initiative or ideas can be implemented, and their success guaranteed, before the elimination of terrorism and the restoration of security and stability to the whole country," the statement said.

The statement did not state Assad's position on the idea of holding elections.

A Russian lawmaker who met Assad on Sunday as part of a delegation told Reuters the Syrian leader's priority was to defeat terrorists before holding elections.

That lawmaker and another also said Assad told them he would be willing to hold parliamentary and presidential elections if necessary.

Syria's last presidential election was in June, 2014. The vote was won overwhelmingly by Assad but dismissed as a sham by opponents, with much of the country at war and millions forced from their homes.