Syria opposition wants US promise on Assad

A Syrian opposition figure criticizes perceived “American ambiguity” on the future of President Bashar Assad and urges Washington to confirm he will not be “rehabilitated” in a future government.

“We have American ambiguity that is very damaging for us,” says Bassma Kodmani, member of the main opposition High Negotiations Committee that attended last month’s peace talks in Geneva.

The White House last week indicated Assad should not feature in a transitional unity administration, White House spokesman Josh Earnest dubbing his participation a “non-starter” for Washington.

But Kodmani says the committee wanted confirmation of that stance, two days after high-level US-Russian discussions on ways of strengthening a fragile ceasefire.

“We don’t know what the United States are discussing with Moscow,” Assad’s long-time ally, says Kodmani.

“We are awaiting confirmation that the USA are maintaining their position to refuse to rehabilitate Assad,” she tells French media.

— AFP