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BEIJING, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview that only Syrians could decide on changes to the country's political system or its leaders. He addressed favorable conditions for the political solution to the civil war, and the deteriorating refugee crisis.
President Assad began with an accusation. He argued that a year of U.S.-led air strikes against ISIL militants in Iraq and Syria had been counterproductive, with terrorism spreading both in terms of territory and new recruits.
In contrast, he said a united campaign by Russia, Iran and Syria could save the Middle East.
"It has to succeed, or else we're facing the destruction of the entire region, not just one or two countries. We're sure of that. Our countries with vision and experience - us, Iran and Russia - have faced terrorism in various ways. If we unite our militaries, intelligence and security, as well as other means to fight terrorism, I think that this coalition's chances of success are high, not low," Assad said.
Assad said he was looking beyond the military campaign to a new round of talks in Moscow. But some western countries have demanded the president's departure as a precondition for talks. A decision, Assad argued, that is not theirs to make.
"No foreign power has the right to determine the future of Syria, the future of the political system or which individuals govern the country. This is the decision of the Syrian people," Assad said.
The Syrian conflict, in its fifth year, has killed more than 250,000 people, and left over seven million refugees.
Assad accused the West of fueling the refugee crisis by supporting terrorism.
"It is not possible for countries who support terrorism to fight it. They support terrorism with funds and put economic sanctions on Syria. This is one of the key reasons behind the refugee crisis. They fight Syrian people with one hand, and provide food to Syrian refugees with the other," he said.
The path to dialogue, Assad said, will only be open when terrorists agree to lay down their arms and subject themself to the rule of law. A resolution to the conflict seems as distant as ever.
(Source: CNTV.cn)
