by Israel Hayom Staff
Russian deputy foreign minister says deteriorating security situation convinced Syrian president to seek orderly transition and reveals that Assad's brother, Maher, lost both legs in the explosion that killed top regime officials last month • Russia believes smooth change of regime only way to end civil war, official says.
On his way out? Syrian President Bashar al-Assad | Photo credit: Reuters  |
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is ready to step down, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov reportedly told the Saudi newspaper Al-Watan Tuesday. Bogdanov said the deteriorating security situation in the wake of last month's assassination of top regime figures is what may have led to Assad's decision. The information has so far not been confirmed.
Bogdanov also said Assad's brother, Maher, was seriously wounded in last month's bombing. He said Maher Assad had lost both legs in the blast and was in critical condition. Maher Assad serves as the commander of Syria’s 4th Division and the Republican Guards, whose mission is to defend the capital Damascus.
Among those killed in the bombing, which rocked the national security building in Damascus, were Defense Minister Daoud Rajiha and the president's confidant and brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat, who also served as deputy defense minister and was instrumental in dealing with the 17-month insurgency in Syria. The bombing was attributed to the Free Syrian Army, one of the main rebel groups in the country.
Bogdanov said Russia would like to see an orderly transition of power, since this would be the only means of ending the bloodshed, Army Radio reported Tuesday.
Assad has previously said that he would not leave his post, despite repeated calls by both Arab leaders and the West. More than 15,000 have said to have died in the Syrian conflict since it began in March 2011. Israel has been worried about potential adverse ramifications from the civil war and the weakening of the centralized government in the event the regime implodes. Of particular concern is the fate of Syria's chemical weapon stockpiles and its grip over global jihad elements, which would likely exploit the vacuum that would be generated if the rebels — a loose alliances of various Sunni groups — manage to topple the regime.
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5410
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