Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stands next to his wife Asma, as he addresses injured soldiers and their mothers during a celebration marking Syrian Mother's Day in Damascus, March 21, 2016. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters
Reuters:
Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition
President Bashar al-Assad said it would not be difficult to agree on a new Syrian government including opposition figures, but his opponents responded on Wednesday that no administration would be legitimate while he remained in office.
Assad, bolstered by military victory in the desert city of Palmyra, was quoted by Russia's RIA news agency as saying a new draft constitution could be ready in weeks and a government that included opposition, independents and loyalists could be agreed.
While the distribution of portfolios and other technical issues would need to be discussed at Geneva peace talks, which resume next month, "these are not difficult questions", Assad said.
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MIDDLE EAST
Assad insists on unity government
despite opposition demands.
U.S. says new Syrian government
including Assad a 'non-starter'.
Top US General: 'No doubt'
Russia stabilized Syrian regime.
Russia, U.S. discussing coordination
to liberate Syria's Raqqa: Interfax.
Exclusive: Russia, despite draw down,
shipping more to Syria than removing.
Obama could decide on greater
troop presence in Iraq soon. General.
Assad says Damascus to base
Geneva talks on U.N. document: RIA.
Assad says conflict has
cost Syria more than $200 billion.
Turkish police detain 16 suspected
Nusra Front members: news agency.
Yemeni army advances against
al Qaeda in southern city.
Khamenei says missiles, not just talks,
key to Iran's future. Iran's Khamenei:
Missiles are part of the future.
Thousands of
Palestinians, Arab Israelis mark 'Land Day'.
U.S. condemns U.N. call for
list of firms operating in West Bank.
ASIA
Obama, Xi seen discussing North Korea, cybersecurity
on sidelines of nuclear summit.
U.S. says it will not recognize
South China Sea exclusion zone.
Fifteen Afghan troops killed
in fighting with Taliban.
North Korea: We are ready for
‘pre-emptive nuclear strike’ on U.S..
North Korea: U.S. military drills
take region to 'brink of war'.
US allies seek to manage China
on North Korean sanctions.
Myanmar gets first
civilian government in decades.
Thai junta gives troops wide-ranging powers
'because not enough police'.
Bangladesh issues arrest warrant
for opposition leader.
Mumtaz Qadri case: Pakistan police
warn supporters to leave.
AFRICA
Two Turks among six killed
in gun attack in Somalia's capital.
Boko Haram kill six soldiers
in southeast Niger: ministry.
Nigeria Defense Minister:
Military made gains against Boko Haram.
Libya's U.N.-backed Presidential Council
reaches Tripoli by ship. UN-backed Libya govt told to leave
after Tripoli arrival.
Libya could ‘open the floodgates’
for thousands of migrants into Europe.
Head of Libya's UN-backed
unity govt arrives in Tripoli.
South Sudan starvation levels
alarming, U.N. warns.
Burundi warns against
execution investigations at ICC.
'Somalia-bound' ship of weapons
seized by French navy.
EgyptAir hijacker wanted
to 'see wife and children'.
EUROPE
U.S. to deploy
armored brigade combat teams to Europe.
Brussels attackers
'searched on net for Belgian PM's home'.
Migrant arrivals to Greece rise sharply
despite EU-Turkey deal. Turkey, Greece scramble to start EU deal
as migrant arrivals rise.
Germany tells refugees: Integrate or
lose your right to live here permanently.
France's Hollande drops plans
to change constitution. French leader abandons plan
to strengthen state of emergency.
US accuses Russia of
dismantling security agreements.
Russia running 'shadow government'
for east Ukraine: report.
Ukrainian parties fail to
form new governing coalition.
Ukraine bans all Russian movies
released since 2014.
AMERICAS
Colombia, ELN rebels to
begin peace talks in Ecuador.
Rousseff calls impeachment effort 'coup',
vows to keep social programs. Brazil president warns of 'putsch'
ahead of impeachment vote.
Brazil's PMDB party
abandons Rousseff, quits coalition. Rousseff blow as Brazil's
biggest party quits coalition.
Venezuela congress passes bill
to free jailed activists. Venezuela's National Assembly
passes amnesty bill. Venezuela parliament approves amnesty law,
Maduro vows to veto.
Colombia and leftist ELN rebels to
begin formal peace talks: source.
Polls show Trump with big lead,
Clinton edge narrowing.
Trump drops pledge to back
Republican presidential nominee other than himself.
Poll: Half of American voters
back Trump's Muslim ban.
Former Canadian Cabinet minister
killed in plane crash.
Mexico says experts investigating 43 students
will cease work in April.
Thousands attend funeral for controversial
Toronto mayor Rob Ford.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Air strikes target al Qaeda in Yemen,
troops control Aden district.
US intensifies air campaign
against al Qaeda in Yemen.
ISIS claims bomb attack
on Russia police in Dagestan. Russia police say blast kills officer,
Islamic State claims responsibility.
Poll: Few think ISIS will
be destroyed within year.
Al Qaeda-linked publication weighs in
on the U.S. presidential race.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Weak global economy is said to
threaten government finances.
Cautious Yellen drives
world stocks near 2016 peaks.
China proposes new Web rules
that could enhance censorship.
Foxconn finalises
Sharp takeover.
Apple remains in dark how FBI
hacked iPhone without its help.