UK Remains Opposed to Assad Playing Part in Syria's Future - Hammond

Despite the progress at the international Vienna talks on Syrian reconciliation, the United Kingdom remains opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad playing a role in the country’s future, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Dozens of foreign policy chiefs from world and regional powers, including the United States, Russia, and EU nations, met in the Austrian capital to discuss political transition in Syria on Saturday.

"We have agreed to work towards a ceasefire, and to chart a course that will see the Syrian people take charge of their own destiny. The UK remains opposed to Bashar al-Assad playing any part in the future of Syria," Hammond said in a statement as quoted by the UK Foreign Office.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with government forces countering the so-called moderate rebels and several extremist groups, including the Islamic State and the Nusra Front.

Unlike Russia the United States and its European allies do not see President Bashar Assad as the country's legitimate leader, and support the Syrian opposition which aims to oust the president.

Russia considers Assad the legitimate authority in the country, stating that the Syrian people must choose their leader without outside intervention.