Assad says departure 'not under discussion' — Interfax

By AFP - Jan 19,2014 - Last updated at Jan 19,2014

MOSCOW — A defiant Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Sunday he had no plans to stand down, stressing that only the Syrian people had the right to determine the country's future.

"If we wanted to surrender we would have surrendered from the start," Assad told Russian parliament members during a meeting in Damascus.

"This issue is not under discussion," he said when asked to comment on Western and opposition calls for him to stand down and take part in elections. "Only the Syrian people can decide who should take part in elections," he said in remarks translated into Russian.

Rate

Syria denies Assad comments reported by Russia news agency

Jan 19,2014

The office of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad denied comments attributed to him Sunday by a Russian news agency which quoted him as saying his departure is not up for discussion.

US warns Syria of 'firm' measures for ceasefire violations

May 26,2018

WASHINGTON - The United States warned Syria on Friday it would take "firm and appropriate measures" in response to ceasefire violations, say

Homs once again a ‘theatre of death’ — Syria negotiator

Apr 17,2014

International mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said on Thursday that a deal between trapped fighters and civilians in Homs city and the Syrian authorities had broken down, as government forces appeared close to retaking the besieged opposition area.