Syrian president Bashar al-Assad reveals peace talks could lead to him QUITTING as he claims his government is ‘willing to negotiate on everything’
SYRIAN President Bashar al-Assad claims he’s ready to negotiate on "everything" in proposed peace talks with rebels later this month.
The extraordinary and unexpected comments were made to French media ahead of talks brokered by Syrian ally Russia and rebel supporting Turkey.
But the tyrant will be coming to the table with a strengthened hand after capturing the rebel stronghold in Aleppo after months of Russian backed bombardment.
They are supposed to take place in Kazakhstan before the end of January and end a savage civil war that has killed 400,000 and displaced half of the Syrian population from their homes.
Last week opposition groups said they would not join in because Syrian regime forces were continuing to attack them despite a ceasefire.
But speaking to French reporters, al-Assad said that even though the nationwide truce had been violated by rebels several times, he was ready to talk.
Asked if stepping down was an option at the peace talks, al-Assad said: "Yes, but my position is linked to the constitution.
"If [the opposition] want to discuss this point they must discuss the constitution.
“Any constitutional matters must be put to a referendum and the people would elect any president.”
On Friday Russia’s military said it had begun scaling down its deployment to Syria, with Moscow’s sole aircraft carrier quitting the conflict zone over the weekend.
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It follows heavy air strikes on anti-government rebels by Russian bombers that have flattened eastern Aleppo.
But as reported, even though Russia is pulling out its naval forces it is now firmly established as a Middle East power with bases in Syria.
Chilling pictures released by Israeli intelligence reveals Russia has the ability to launch nuclear missiles in Syria at a military base on the coast.
The satellite image was obtained by Israeli intelligence and shows Russian ss-26 Iskander rockets stationed in Syria which are capable of travelling a range of 350 miles.
This would mean the UK air base of RAP Akrotiri in Cyprus would be within range.
As reported Syria is one of several flash-points where World War 3 could break out in 2017.
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