Syria’s Assad ready to stand in elections, says Russian MP

“He is ready to conduct elections with the participation of all political forces who want Syria to prosper,” Russian lawmaker Alexander Yushchenko said after meeting Assad in the Syrian Capital as part of a delegation.

Assad said he was ready to take part in the polls “if the people are not against it,” Yushchenko added, speaking after the 1.5-hour meeting that included other Russian lawmakers and various other figures. “He is absolutely sure of himself.” 

Yushchenko, who is a member of the Communist Party, stressed that Assad was ready to discuss constitutional reform and eventual elections only after Syria is “liberated” from Islamic State jihadists.

The announcement is expected to anger Western-backed moderate rebels as well as Washington and its allies who say there is no future for Assad in post-conflict Syria. Some of his opponents say he should step down during a transition, while others insist on his immediate resignation.

Russia, which is one of the main backers of the Assad regime, says it is up to the Syrian people to decide his fate.

On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was time to start preparing for elections in Syria and also said Moscow was ready to provide air support for Western-backed “patriotic” rebels battling both jihadists and Assad.

The offer of help apparently represented a marked shift in Moscow’s position. Russia had previously only used the word “patriotic” to describe groups backing Assad.