MOSCOW. Nov 1 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev believes Syrian President Bashar Assad will not give up his post without getting clarity and guarantees of the future of his country and his personal safety.
"I believe the ideas that are sometimes proposed, such as the proposal to remove President Assad and then reach agreements on everything, are unrealistic for as long as President Assad is in power.He is not crazy, he has to get some guarantees, or, in any case, some offers on the development of political dialogue in Syria, possible elections, and his personal future," Medvedev said in an interview with Reuters released by the government press service, responding to a question as to whether he believes the fact that Assad is in power can reflect on the conclusion of agreements between the official Syrian authorities and the opposition.
Medvedev said that it is impossible to demand that Assad not participate in the negotiations.
"You must agree, that when he recalls the fate of President Mubarak or the fate of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Kaddafi, it probably doesn't make him very cheerful, and that's why [they can't tell Assad to] leave and then we will reach agreements," Medvedev said.
"It's a difficult process, and everyone has to reach compromises, including the opposition leaders and the government of Syria," Medvedev said.