Biden says US ready to engage with opposition in Syria

TheUnited States is ready to engage with the opposition in Syria in the process of transferring power. This was stated by the current US President Joe Biden on December 8.

"We will engage with all Syrian groups, including participants in the UN-led process, to ensure a transition from the [Bashar] Assad regime to an independent, sovereign Syria with a new constitution and a new government that will serve all Syrians," Biden said, speaking at the White House.

According to the president, this process should be determined by the Syrian people themselves, and the US is ready to support them through humanitarian aid and efforts to rebuild the country after years of conflict. He noted that the situation in Syria is uncertain, but it can be used to build a better future.

"A moment of historic opportunity for the long suffering people in Syria to build a better future for their proud country. But it is also a moment of risk and uncertainty," he said during a White House speech on the situation in Syria.

Biden noted that the United States and partners will work to ensure that the opportunity is seized and the risks are under control.

In addition, according to the American leader, the US administration intends to continue the fight against the international terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS, banned in Russia) and will not allow its revival. He also added that the US plans to continue its "operation against IS, including securing detention centers where IS militants are held as prisoners."

"We are clear that IS will try to take advantage of any resulting vacuum [in power in Syria] to rebuild its capabilities and create a safe haven. We will not allow that to happen," Biden said.

He also said the United States intends to make sure that the armed groups that have come to power in the republic do not defect to radicalism, and will also "evaluate not only their words but their actions," as the armed opposition in Syria has now taken on additional responsibility.

"Let's be frank: some of the groups that have stripped Assad of power have been linked to terrorism and violated human rights in the past," Biden said.

Arab Spring 2.0: armed opposition in Syria claims control of Damascus

The country's prime minister has signaled his readiness to hand over power to the new leadership

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier in the day that Bashar al-Assad, as a result of negotiations with the opposition, decided to leave the post of head of state and leave the country, instructing to carry out the transfer of power peacefully. It was noted that Russia is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition and is taking the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its citizens. Later in the day, a source of "Izvestiya" reported that Bashar al-Assad flew to Moscow. In the Russian Federation, the politician is with members of his family.

It was also reported that Syrian formations took control of the prison "Seidnaya" in the suburbs of Damascus. They released all the prisoners. Opposition forces also stormed the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

On Sunday, the AFP news agency reported a fire in Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus. And Syria's National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said it was working to form a "transitional governing body."

Meanwhile, SAR Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said most of the Syrian government ministers remain in Damascus. He emphasized that he is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people.

On November 29, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called the opposition's activation part of the US plan amid Israel's defeat in Lebanon. The White House denied its involvement in the events.

A day earlier it was reported that armed formations launched a major attack in Aleppo and Idlib, and the Syrian army began to repel it, causing serious damage to equipment and manpower of militants.