Assad 'will not stand for Syrian election'

ANTALYA, Turkey

President Bashar al-Assad will not run for office following Syria’s post-conflict transition, Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said Monday.

Sinirlioglu told reporters at the closing of the G20 summit in Antalya that Assad will leave office "within the six-month transition period" and a transitional government would assume executive power.

The minister took part in the weekend’s talks in Vienna on the resolution of Syria’s four-and-a-half year civil war.

Regional and world powers, the UN, EU and the Arab League agreed on an UN-mediated cease-fire in Syria with negotiations between the regime and opposition groups to take place by the end of the year.

Elections would be held within 18 months of a six-month transition period.

"An 18-month period is foreseen from the moment that a new government is formed in Syria," Sinirlioglu said. "In this period, a new constitution will be made. In accordance with that constitution, [Syria] will go to new elections."

Turkey does not foresee a ground operation in Syria against Daesh, Sinirlioglu added. However, he hinted at "security measures against Daesh" that would allow action against the extremist group.

ANTALYA, Turkey

President Bashar al-Assad will not run for office following Syria’s post-conflict transition, Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said Monday.

The minister took part in the weekend’s talks in Vienna on the resolution of Syria’s four-and-a-half year civil war.

Regional and world powers, the UN, EU and the Arab League agreed on an UN-mediated cease-fire in Syria with negotiations between the regime and opposition groups to take place by the end of the year.

Elections would be held within 18 months of a six-month transition period.

Turkey does not foresee a ground operation in Syria against Daesh, Sinirlioglu added. However, he hinted at "security measures against Daesh" that would allow action against the extremist group.