Syria Ready to Discuss Assad Resignation

Syria's deputy-PM Qadri Jamil speaking Tuesday in Moscow. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Syria is ready to discuss the resignation of embattled President Bashar Al-Assad in talks with the opposition, said Syrian deputy-PM Qadri Jamil Tuesday.

Jamil made the unprecedented statemend in Moscow, following meeting with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.

"During the negotiation process we can discuss all matters, and we are ready to discuss even this question," said the Syrian vice-PM.

Jamil however has added that if this is an absolutely necessary precondition for talks, that would mean that negotiations are practically imperilled.

After the meeting, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Lavrov on his part stated that he is optimistic that a reconciliation can still be achieved in Syria, which has for months been torn by a bloody civil war.

Lavrov repeated Russia's committment to do everything possible to that end and ensure peace for Syria.

After the meeting, Syrian PM Jamil further dismissed Tuesday's sharper anti-Assad rhetoric on the part of US President Barack Obama as being merely a part of the latter election campaign.