UK Sees Syria Without Assad, Not Aiming to Destroy Gov't Institutions

Syrian President Bashar Assad cannot be part of the country's future, but dismantling all Syrian government institutions is not necessary, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday.

LONDON (Sputnik) — A number of Western countries, including the United Kingdom, have long been vocally supportive of what they term the Syrian moderate opposition and insisted on removing Assad from power.

"In saying that we believe that Assad can not play a part in the long-term government in Syria, we are not saying that we have to dismantle all the institutions of the Syrian state," Cameron said addressing the parliament.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. The country’s government is fighting a number of opposition forces, as well as radical Islamist militant organizations, including the Nusra Front and Islamic State.