Le Drian: If Bashar Al Assad is a candidate in a transparent electoral process, then the Syrians must decide their future
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian didn’t rule out Syrian President Bashar Al Assad’s participation in the electoral process as a necessary condition for a political settlement in Syria.
In a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Al Safadi held in Amman on Sunday, the French minister stressed Paris’ commitment to resolve the crisis in Syria by political means, pointing out that the elections are part of this process.
“The terms of the peace process involve an electoral process that is conducted in a transparent manner.
If Bashar Al Assad is a candidate, let it be.
The Syrians must decide their future”.
“But they can only do so in the context of a peace process that is ratified by all, and an electoral process based on the reform of the current constitution”.
“This is the scenario.
After that, the Syrians will vote and what we hope is that all Syrians will vote, whether they are displaced or refugees who will choose their representatives, it is up to the Syrians to decide their future”.
The war in Syria is still going on, he said, adding that the country is living two wars simultaneously: the war against the Islamic State.
“It is not over yet.
It is wrong to imagine that a preacher has been completely crushed.
There is also internal civil war”, as he expressed.
The French foreign minister had previously announced that the withdrawal of French troops from Syria would be possible only in the event of a political solution to the crisis there.
