US rules out future role for Bashar al-Assad in Syria

WASHINGTON: The US has rejected any role for President Bashar al-Assad in the future of Syria or the transitional authority, even as the opposition rejected a government communique that largely focused on preserving sovereignty.

"The transitional governing authority has to be one that is reached in accordance and by mutual consent, and that's why Assad cannot be part of the future of Syria or part of this transitional authority," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said yesterday.

Responding to questions about the development in Geneva, he said the issue of Assad not being a part of transitional governing authority is not one for the US to decide.

"The reason why it's non-negotiable is not because the United States says that. It's because the people of Syria have said that and the opposition has said that," he said.

The transitional governing authority has to be one that is reached in accordance and by mutual consent, and that is why Assad cannot be part of the future of Syria or part of this transitional authority, Carney said.

Hailing the ongoing Geneva talks, he said, what is important is that the two parties have sat in the same room over the past several days to discuss critical issues.

Anticipating hiccups in the talks, Carney said: "I would expect quite a few ups and downs along the way. This was, as I said last week - and others, including the President have made clear - always going to be difficult.

"But it is the only way to end the conflict in Syria. It has to be ended through a negotiated political settlement."

Negotiations like this are usually long and complicated. But the aim is to find consensus, Carney said.

Syrian peace talks in Geneva were deadlocked following a session yesterday aimed at tackling the explosive issue of a transfer of power.

The delegation from Assad's regime set out a statement of principles aimed at preserving state institutions and stopping the threat from "terrorist" groups but the opposition rejected the statement, saying talks needed to focus on a political transition.