Obama urged to take into account the interests of Russia and Iran in Syria – RBC

President Barack Obama

Photo: AP

During the press conference on Friday, Dec. 18, US President Barack Obama stressed the need to consider the interests of the allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, such as Russia and Iran in the conflict in Syria, reports Reuters.

At the same time, Obama stressed that the settlement in Syria is only possible if Assad to resign.

«I think Assad will have to leave in order to stop the bloodshed and to allow for all parties to move forward. He has lost legitimacy, “- said Obama. He noted that diplomats must find a way to organize the process of political transition in Syria, which will guarantee the allies of Assad, in particular Russia and Iran, “that their interests will be respected».

Russia and Iran are allies in operations against “Islamic State” (an organization banned in Russia) in Syria. Russia has repeatedly stressed that it is acting at the request of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, while the US-led coalition has not received approval from the Syrian president. Washington, in turn, insists on the resignation of Bashar al-Assad. As noted by The New York Times, the only case when the US and Russia have reached a consensus on the Syrian issue, the adoption of a resolution on Syria to the UN Security Council.