The Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Sunday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has resigned and departed Syria, initiating a peaceful transfer of power. According to the ministry, Assad's decision follows negotiations with various participants in the Syrian armed conflict.
In their statement, Russian officials did not disclose Assad's current whereabouts and clarified that Russia did not participate in the discussions leading to his resignation.
\"As a result of negotiations between B. Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power,\" the ministry stated.
Expressing deep concern over the ongoing situation in Syria, Moscow has urged all parties to avoid violence and seek political solutions to governance challenges. \"We urge all parties involved to refrain from the use of violence and to resolve all issues of governance through political means,\" the statement continued.
The Russian Federation is maintaining contact with all groups within the Syrian opposition to support a stable transition. Additionally, Russia has placed its military bases in Syria on high alert, though it assured that there is currently no significant threat to these installations.
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Russia says Assad has left country and ordered peaceful power handover
cgtn.com
