![\"Syrian](\"http:\/\/rt.com\/files\/news\/1f\/1f\/f0\/00\/16.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSyrian President Bashar Assad has welcomed the proposed peace talks for Syria agreed by Russia and the US, but voiced his skepticism about their prospects for success, saying that many forces don’t really want to see a solution.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Argentine newspaper Clarin and Telam news agency in
\nDamascus, Assad said that \u201cbelieving that a political conference
\nwill stop terrorism on the ground is unreal.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Washington and Moscow have been at odds since the beginning of
\nthe Syrian crisis, but are now aiming to find common ground as they
\npush for talks to take place between Assad\u2019s regime and the
\nopposition. If the efforts are successful, there are hopes that
\ntalks could take place at the end of this month and could lead to a
\nmultilateral summit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome the Russian-US rapprochement and hope that an
\ninternational meeting will take place to help the Syrians overcome
\nthe crisis<\/i> ,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we don\u2019t think that a lot of
\nWestern nations really want to see a solution in Syria. And we
\ndon\u2019t think that those many forces that help the terrorists want a
\nsolution to the crisis.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As world powers lock horns over the Syrian conflict, Assad
\nstressed that foreign states will not act as decision-makers in the
\ncrisis and any decision about reform in Syria will come from
\nwithin.<\/p>\n
He also reassured that he will not forsake his duty or his
\nresponsibilities. \u201cThe captain does not flee his ship during a
\nstorm. The first thing he does is face the storm and guide the ship
\nback to safety<\/i>,” Assad said. “I am not someone who flees
\nfrom my responsibilities.”<\/i><\/p>\n
The president stated once again that he was open to dialogue,
\nmaintaining that he wanted what was best for the Syrian people.
\nHowever he underlined that there would be no dialogue with
\nterrorists.<\/p>\n
\u201cTerrorism struck the United States and Europe \u2014 of course no
\ngovernment is willing to negotiate with terrorists. A dialogue with
\npolitical force, but not with a terrorist who decapitates, murders
\nand uses toxic gases which are chemical weapons<\/i>,\u201d he
\nstated.<\/p>\n
Syrian leader stressed that foreign states will not act as
\ndecision-makers when it comes to Syrian reforms. He specifically
\naddressed US Secretary of State John Kerry, who stated that Assad
\ncould play a major role in achieving peace by stepping down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder how Kerry or anyone else has received a mandate
\nfrom the Syrian people to decide whether someone should stay or go.
\nAny decision about reforms in Syria will come from Syria, and
\nneither the US nor any other state can intervene<\/i>,\u201d he
\nstated.<\/p>\n
The Syrian civil war has been raging for more than two years
\nnow, with more than 80,000 people killed, according to UN
\nestimates.<\/p>\n