Syria's Assad rejects 'transitional body' demanded by rebels

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in an interview published March 30 that Syria needs a national unity government that would secure the transition to a new constitution, rejecting the "transitional body" demanded by the opposition, which wants him to step down.

In the interview with Russian media, Assad said Syrian refugees will begin returning home when they see hope for improvement, adding that one of the main causes of migration is Western sanctions against Syria.
"First of all, regarding the definition of the 'transitional period,' such a definition does not exist," Assad said in the interview with Sputnik, a state news agency, which published excerpts on its website.

He said the term political transition means the transition from one constitution to another. "Thus, the transition period must be under the current constitution, and we will move on to the new constitution after the Syrian people vote for it," Assad added.

His comments run counter to demands by the Syrian opposition for a "transitional body with full executive powers." The two sides held U.N.-mediated talks earlier this month.

As a response to Assad, George Sabra, a negotiator for the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) representing the Syrian opposition at Geneva peace talks, said March 30 that Syria needed a transitional ruling body with full executive powers and not a participatory government under Assad.
 
"The government, whether it's new or old, as long as it is in the presence of Assad, is not part of the political process," said Sabra. 

"What Assad is talking about has no relation to the political process," said Sabra. 

Asaad al-Zoubi, an HNC member, said the Syrian people and the Geneva negotiating team want "a transitional...