Newspaper Reports US and Russia Agree on Assad Exile

In what could be the most decisive event since the start of the Syrian civil war, the Arabic language, London-based Al-Hayat is reporting that US Secretary of State John Kerry is telling Arab allies that the US has reached an agreement with Russia that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad will relocated to a third-party country as part of any agreement that ends the conflict. No timetable has been suggested for either Assad’s departure or the conclusion of an agreement. But the president’s future has been the key roadblock to progress. Opposition leaders have been adamant in demanding Assad’s removal as part of any agreement while Assad’s loyalists have been equally resolute in refusing to even discuss Assad’s departure. The Al-Hayat report is not seen as gospel, especially in light of other rumors about the talks that have circulated.