Khamenei said the US had a "long-term plan" to dominate Syria and the Middle East

 

Terrorist threat can only be fought jointly, Russia says

  Assad said there could be no transition schedule for elections while swathes of Syria remained out of government control

 

 

 

  A senior Syrian official last week rejected the idea of a "transitional period" leading towards the removal of Assad, as sought by...

  They, however, agree on his staying in office, and that it is up to the Syrian people to elect their...

John Kerry would also gauge Tehran and Moscow's commitment to fighting the Islamic State group

  The Syrian state would welcome any political solution approved by the Syrian people that preserves national unity, the presidency said

  Assad was "ready for broad dialogue with all responsible political forces that care about Syria

He recognized that at least some of the people who rebelled against Assad's rule had a legitimate grievance.

  Assad stressed the importance of "further political steps" and praised Russia for its military and political efforts