Russians Slam Assad for Dodging Political Responsibilities

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
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Russians Slam Assad for Dodging Political Responsibilities

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recent statements have attracted wide-spread criticism from Russian circles that accused him of seeking to dodge political obligations.

Not heeding the significance of Russia’s intervention in 2015 about the course of war in Syria, Assad commented on the Iranian presence and stressed that the war in Syria will continue in the direction of the eastern Euphrates region and Idlib.

Assad spoke in an interview with Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti

Displaying clear contrast with Russian public policy on the situation in Syria, Assad downplayed the work of the constitutional committee, a matter which Moscow highly values.

When asked about the moment that symbolizes a turning point during the conflict, Assad pointed out that there are many transformative moments.

“It’s been now nearly ten years since the war started, so we have many turning points that I can mention, not only one,” Assad said.

He, however, confirmed the significance of 2013, the year when, according to Assad, government forces began to liberate a number of areas, especially in central Syria.

“Then in 2014, it was in the other direction when ISIS appeared suddenly with American support and they occupied a very important part of Syria and Iraq at the same time; this is when the terrorists started occupying other areas, because ISIS was able to distract the Syrian Army from fulfilling its mission in liberating the western part of Syria,” the president added.

As though he was belittling the event of Russian forces stepping into Syria, Assad said: “Then the other turning point was when the Russians came to Syria in 2015 and we started liberating together many areas. “

“In that stage, after the Russians came to Syria to support the Syrian Army, I’d say the turning point was to liberate the eastern part of Aleppo; this is where the liberation of other areas in Syria started from that point.”

When asked about the war ending in Syria, Assad said: “No, definitely not. As long as you have terrorists occupying some areas of our country and committing different kinds of crimes and assassinations and other crimes, it’s not over, and I think their supervisors are keen to make it continue for a long time. That’s what we believe.”

There is a gap between Assad’s statement and the Russian vision for developments in Syria, which leans more towards a political settlement for the conflict.



Lebanon Takes Decisive Stand on Neutrality, Urges Hezbollah to Comply

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
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Lebanon Takes Decisive Stand on Neutrality, Urges Hezbollah to Comply

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun presides a cabinet session (Presidency of the Republic)

In the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Lebanese officials have taken a unified and firm stance to distance the country from regional escalation. The leadership moved swiftly to contain any fallout, stressing that Lebanon must not be drawn into a new conflict.

Iran-backed Hezbollah, while condemning the Israeli strikes and accusing Tel Aviv of crossing “red lines,” issued a statement notably free of any threats or promises of retaliation. This restraint marks a shift from the group’s more assertive stances in past regional confrontations.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday cut short his visit to the Vatican and returned to Beirut. In a statement, he condemned the Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them a direct threat to regional stability and international efforts to preserve peace in the Middle East.

He urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent Israel from achieving its “clear and dangerous” objectives.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed the president’s concerns, describing the Israeli action as a “blatant violation of international law and Iran’s sovereignty.” Speaking after a high-level security meeting with key ministers and the army commander, Salam stressed the importance of maintaining internal stability amid rising regional tensions.

According to sources speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Lebanese government conveyed a “firm and final” message to Hezbollah through the army leadership: Lebanon must not be dragged into a broader conflict.

The state condemned the Israeli strikes but rejected any response that would endanger national stability. Government sources indicated that Hezbollah appears to be adhering to this directive, at least for now.

A source close to Hezbollah confirmed that the group would not initiate any action against Israel in response to the Iran strikes, framing the situation as an international issue in which Lebanon should not interfere. “If Lebanon is attacked, the state is responsible,” the source said.

Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri also condemned the Israeli assault, warning of its potential to destabilize the region and urging the international community to take a firm stand “before it’s too late.”