Putin: Bashar al-Assad is Ready to Share Power with 'Healthy' Opponents

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, states that Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, is ready to hold early parliamentary elections and share power in Syria with 'healthy' opponents. According to Reuters, Mr. Putin emphasized the necessity of forming a type of international coalition against terrorism and extremism during the Eastern Economic Forum taking place in Vladivostok, Russia, on Friday, September 13. The Russian President also mentioned that 'the understanding that such a coalition to combat terrorism should proceed in parallel with the political process within Syria has generally emerged.' According to Vladimir Putin, the Syrian President 'also agrees with this issue.' He added, 'Holding early parliamentary elections, establishing communication with healthy opponents, and bringing them into power' is on Bashar al-Assad's agenda. Russia, alongside Iran, has been a main supporter of Bashar al-Assad during the recent civil war in Syria, which has led to the deaths of about 250,000 people, the destruction of large parts of the country, and the displacement of millions. This is the first time the Russian President has announced his Syrian counterpart's readiness to share power. However, Mr. Putin did not provide further details about the 'healthy' opponents mentioned by Bashar al-Assad. Meanwhile, these remarks from the Russian President came a day after the meeting of Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, with Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. Mr. Amir-Abdollahian stated in Damascus that the Islamic Republic has presented a plan to Mr. Assad for resolving the Syrian crisis. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also emphasized the role of the Syrian President in 'maintaining the integrity' of the country. Previously, Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on international affairs, had also emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran will support Bashar al-Assad 'to the end.' Various regions of Syria are currently under the control of different groups, from Kurdish militias to extremist Islamists such as the Islamic State, al-Nusra Front, and other groups.