DAMASCUS, Syria — Syrian President Bashar Assad says he supports any international effort against terrorism, apparently trying to position his government on the side of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.
Assad spoke Tuesday during a meeting with Faleh al-Fayadh, an envoy of Iraq’s prime minister.
His remarks came hours after the U.S. and five Arab allies launched air raids and missile strikes against positions of the extremist Islamic State group in northern and eastern Syria.
Assad vowed to fight terrorism in all its forms. He said success won’t come only through military means and that all nations must commit to stop support terrorism.
He was apparently referring to countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar who are strong backers of Syrian rebels, whom the Syrian government calls terrorists.
