Assad to run for re-election as Syrian president in 2014

Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 15 /Trend/

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad intends to play a role in any potential transition government and will stand for re-election in 2014, the country's deputy foreign minister said in an interview with the BBC.

"The president, and many other candidates who may run, will go to the people, put [forward] their programmes, and be elected by the people. The ballot box will be where the future of the leadership of Syria will be decided," Faisal Mekdad added.

"It is a coup d'etat if you listen to what the armed groups and those enemies of Syria are proposing", the minister said.

According to him, a plan outlined by the president in a rare speech last week was credible and reflected Syrians' wish for national dialogue.

Mr Assad's plan was rejected by the opposition as empty rhetoric and described as a "missed opportunity" by the UN envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi.

According to UN estimates, over 60,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in early 2011. Recent months have witnessed an escalation in the conflict, which is now in its 23rd month.

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