
Assad: Europe Must Stop Supporting Terrorists to End Migrant Crisis:
"If you are worried about them, stop supporting terrorists. That's what we think regarding the crisis. This is the core of the whole issue of refugees," Assad said in an interview with Russian reporters Ref. Source 5w
Kerry says Syria's Assad must go but timing negotiable:
"We need to get to the negotiation. That is what we're looking for and we hope Russia and Iran, and any other countries with influence, will help to bring about that, because that's what is preventing this crisis from ending," Said Kerry. Ref. Source 2l
Syria's Assad says no intelligence sharing with France unless change in policy:
"If the French government is not serious in its fight against terrorism, we will not waste our time collaborating with a country, government or an institution that supports terrorism," He said in the interview carried out the day after Friday's deadly attacks in Paris. Ref. Source 7h
US sees Assad staying in Syria until March 2017:
An internal timeline prepared for U.S. Officials dealing with the Syria crisis sets an unspecified date in March 2017 for Assad to "Relinquish" his position as president and for his "Inner circle" to depart. That would be more than five years after Obama first called for Assad to leave. Ref. Source 3r
Assad vows to retake whole country, warns could 'take long time'
Speaking Thursday in Damascus, Assad said his armed forces would try to retake all of Syria "Without any hesitation," but that the involvement of regional players "Means that the solution will take a long time and will incur a heavy price." Ref. Source 7u.