Assad says only Syrians can decide his fate

In spite of the ongoing crisis in his country, and the attendant out spill of refugees flocking to Europe, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he would not quit power, or step down as president just because some foreign powers want him to.
He 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.
“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.

Read also: Putin confirms supporting Assad in Syria ‘s war

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

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