KRASNAYA POLYANA, Sochi. Oct 23 (Interfax) - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is not against Russia supporting the armed opposition in its fight against Islamic State, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
"I asked him: how would you feel if we now find in Syria even the armed opposition but which is ready to confront and really fight terrorists, ISIL? How would you feel if we support their efforts in the fight against terrorism just like we do the Syrian army?" the president said at a meeting with the Valdai Discussion Club.
He said al-Assad's reply was: "I feel positive about it."
"We are now considering it and trying, if possible, to shift these agreements into practice," Putin said.