DHAKA: The United States and Russia have agreed to let Syrian President Bashar Assad seek refuge in another country as part of a future political solution regarding the prolonged civil war engulfing his country.

UK-based publication al-Hayat reported Thursday, says The Jerusalem Post.

An unnamed senior diplomatic source with knowledge of the agreement told al-Hayat that US Secretary of State John Kerry has already informed a number of his Arab counterparts on the understanding, but stressed that ‘the timing of the move and its political context is still not clear’.

The source added that the understanding was welcomed by members of the UN Security Council.

The embattled Syrian autocrat has been involved in a bloody civil war that has seen over 200,000 killed as numerous rebel and terrorist organizations, including Islamic State, have fought the Assad regime for over the last four years.

The report emerged the day after Assad was quoted by Russian media as expressing his view of the future of Syria.

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.

BDST: 1322 HRS, MAR 31, 2016
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