27 rebel groups endorse Geneva Communique 1 as Assad says only Syrian people can decide if he quits

Syrian regime President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview with Russian media he would only quit power if the Syrian people wanted him to and not under pressure from the West, a transcript of the interview published Wednesday showed.

"As for the president, he comes to power with the people's assent through elections, and if he leaves, he leaves if the people demand it, not because of the judgment of the United States, the U.N. Security Council, the Geneva Conference or the Geneva Communique," said Assad.

"If the people want him to stay the president stays. In the opposite case, he should swiftly step down."

The help of Iran, which had supplied military technology, had been crucial in fighting against terrorism in Syria, he said. But Tehran had not sent military units to Damascus, he added, according to Reuters.

The U.S.-led coalition had not been able to prevent the spread of ISIS militants so far, he noted.

On Tuesday, 27 rebel groups, including dominant Ahrar al-Sham movement and Islam Army, have voiced support for Geneva Communique 1, issued on 30 June 2012, saying they endorse a political solution ending the war.

The Communique states that any political settlement must deliver a transition that:

- Offers a perspective for the future that can be shared by all in Syria

Establishes clear steps according to a firm timetable towards the realization of that perspective.

 

- Establishment of a transitional governing body with full executive powers that could include members of the government and opposition, and should be formed on the basis of mutual consent.

- Participation of all groups and segments of society in Syria in a meaningful national dialogue process.

- Review of the constitutional order and the legal system.

- Free and fair multi-party elections for the new institutions and offices that have been established

- Full representation of women in all aspects of the transition

 

The communique 1 was issued on 30 June 2012 after a meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva of the UN-backed Action Group for Syria.