John Kirby: The U.S. Position on Bashar al-Assad's Fate Has Not Changed

Following statements from a Russian official regarding a change in Washington's stance on the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, John Kirby, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, rejected this report on Friday, March 25, stating that Bashar al-Assad has lost the legitimacy to govern Syria. According to Interfax news agency, Sergey Ryabkov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, had previously said that Washington is currently accepting Moscow's position on postponing the discussion of Bashar al-Assad's future in the Syrian peace negotiations. Peace talks between representatives of the Syrian government and opposition ended yesterday in Geneva and are set to continue in two weeks. According to the Associated Press, John Kirby stated, "Any report suggesting that we have changed our view on Bashar al-Assad's future is incorrect. Bashar al-Assad has lost his legitimacy to govern the Syrian people. We have not changed our position on this matter." Meanwhile, John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, had discussions with Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov in Moscow regarding the war in Syria. The U.S. and Russia had previously stated that they have differing views on Bashar al-Assad's future. The U.S. wants Bashar al-Assad to step down during the transition of power in Syria, while Russia claims that the Syrian people should decide Bashar al-Assad's future. In related news, Syrian state media announced on Friday that the country's army has retaken the ancient citadel of Palmyra (Tadmur) from the Islamic State (ISIS). Reports indicate that ISIS forces had planted explosives in the historical sites of Palmyra to blow them up before their retreat, but initial television images broadcast by the Syrian government show that some ancient structures remain intact. With the capture of Palmyra by the Syrian army, communication routes to Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa, the Islamic State's stronghold, have come under government control. According to Reuters, the recapture of Palmyra, supported by Russian airstrikes, is considered the most significant defeat for ISIS in Syria. The city of Palmyra fell to ISIS forces in the spring of 2015. The report adds that Russia's military intervention in the Syrian war has changed the course of the conflict in favor of Bashar al-Assad. UNESCO considers the ancient site of Palmyra one of the most important cultural heritage sites globally, representing several civilizations. The archaeological remains of Palmyra date back over two thousand years to ancient Rome.