Assad Ready to ‘Negotiate Everything’ With Syrian Rebels

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said he is prepared for peace talks with rebels in Kazakhstan. “We are ready to negotiate about everything,” he said in an interview with reporters. His apparent willingness to open the floor faltered, however, when his seat as president was brought up. “My position is linked to the constitution,” he said. “If they want to discuss this point, they must discuss the constitution.” Assad added that a constitutional amendment must be put to a referendum. It would be up to the Syrian people to elect a new president, he said. Still, Assad maintained that the government’s delegation was ready to go to Astana “when the time of the conference is set.” No date has been specified on the peace talks.