Salehi Warns Against ˈIllusionˈ Of Imminent Collapse Of Assad Govˈt

Berlin, May 15, IRNA - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi stressed anyone thinking that the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad was on the verge of a collapse was ˈsuffering from an illusion.ˈ Talking to the Hamburg-based weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, Salehi said, ˈThose who believe that Bashar Assad is becoming fickle or that his government is collapsing are suffering from an illusion. The president is pleased with the progress his military is making. He says that his military leaders have the upper hand.ˈ ˈThis president has the situation completely under control. He is very well informed about everything that is going on. Bashar Assad believes in victory and will resolutely pursue his path. I donˈt believe that Assad is portraying the situation unrealistically. When the conflict began two years ago, many said that his government couldnˈt last long. And now? Heˈs still there,ˈ he added. Salehi warned against ˈunderestimating Bashar Assadˈ and hailed the Syrian government for putting up such an ˈimpressive resistance.ˈ The Iranian diplomat pointed out the recent Israeli missile strikes on Syria were aimed at helping the armed Syrian opposition. ˈIt was a coordinated campaign between the rebels, who are losing ground, and the Zionist regime. The Israelis came to the aid of the rebels by attacking the Syrian army. ˈI received reports that a rebel commander even publicly expressed his gratitude for the Israeli support,ˈ Iranˈs chief diplomat said. Salehi made clear the Syrian people were no longer supporting the armed wing of the Syrian opposition as it had basically turned into a mercenary force. ˈAccording to our information, the population does not support the armed portion of the opposition. People are increasingly realizing that many of the insurgents are mercenaries, controlled by foreign powers ...,ˈ he said. ˈ A few months ago, there may have been some sympathy for these rebels among a portion of Syrians, but that has now changed. The people have awakened and now oppose them, Salehi pointed out. Asked whether Tehran would be prepared to attend a US and Russian-brokered international conference on Syria, Salehi replied, ˈWe havenˈt received an invitation yet. But of course we would attend.ˈ ˈWe are a power factor in the region. We could initiate negotiations between the opposition and the government in Syria. But the conflict can only be resolved if everyone seeks a solution without restrictions. For us, this means that the end of Assad cannot be a precondition of talks,ˈ he added./end