No political dialogue can succeed while armed terrorist groups operate in Syria: Assad

Damascus, Mar 11(ANI): Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said that no political dialogue can succeed to restore peace while "armed terrorist groups" continue to operate in his country.

Assad said Syria would back "any honest effort to find a solution".

"Syria is ready to make a success of any honest effort to find a solution for the events it is witnessing. No political dialogue or political activity can succeed while there are armed terrorist groups operating and spreading chaos and instability," the BBC quoted him, as saying.

He was speaking to UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, who, according to the United Nations, visited Syria to call for an immediate ceasefire by the army and the opposition.

According to the Syrian media report, the meeting was held in a "positive" atmosphere.

But Assad's statement conveys a clear message that the military operation and violence, will continue in Syria.

Annan, who is due to meet Assad again, is expected to also seek talks with key Syrian opposition figures.

According to the UN, over 7,500 people have died since the protests began in the Syria nearly a year ago. (ANI)