John Kirby: The U.S. Position on Assad's Resignation Has Not Changed

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, reacted to Bashar Assad's statements regarding remaining in power until 2021, stating that Washington's position on Assad's resignation has not changed and that he will not have a role in Syria's political future. In a press briefing on Tuesday, November 2, Kirby emphasized that he has seen Assad's statements and reiterated that from the perspective of the United States, there has been no change in their stance regarding Assad, who cannot play a long-term role in Syria's future. Assad had stated in an interview with Western media that he would remain in power until the end of his presidential term in 2021, asserting that since government forces are winning the war in Syria, there will be no political change. Kirby, however, stressed that the U.S. is working with the United Nations and the 'International Support Group for Syria' to resume political negotiations and facilitate a power transition in Syria. In response to a question about a Russian official's comments regarding an indefinite suspension of peace talks, Kirby expressed doubt that the Russians would seek to suspend these negotiations permanently. He added that the U.S. does not agree with an indefinite suspension of negotiations with Russia and does not want Assad to have a role in Syria's political future. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu accused Western countries on Tuesday of being unable to contain extremist violence in Syria and stated that peace talks have been postponed indefinitely. Shoigu referred to attacks by insurgents on civilians in western Aleppo, stating that as a result, the prospect of resuming negotiations to restore normal life in Syria has been delayed indefinitely. The Syrian war is approaching its sixth year, having resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.