YEREVAN. – A compromise figure who will replace Bashar al-Assad at the helm of power is found in Syria, and that person is the former Defense Minister’s son, Manaf Tlass, Arab Studies specialist Suren Manukyan said during a press conference on Tuesday.       

In his words, Tlass is al-Assad’s childhood friend and they are connected with each other through very strong ties. At the same time Manukyan noted that it seems there is consensus with respect to Tlass, but this is difficult to carry out simply because many are involved in this matter.    

Against the backdrop of the developments in Syria, Suren Manukyan also pointed to the Kurdish issue because the Kurds, whose number reaches tens of millions, do not have statehood and they need to materialize this somewhere. 

The Arab Studies specialist also reflected on the foreign pressure regarding this matter.

“It is not a domestic conflict issue in Syria. Otherwise, this problem would have been resolved in one week. The [Persian] Gulf monarchies are losing patience and they can ask their main ally, the United States, to no longer follow—at least formally—the norms of international law.   

But Russia is full of determination to defend Syria. We should also note that the Russians have remained as the Syrians’ only hope. Iran itself is in a very bad condition. [And] China will never go against the US and other superpowers on its own. Furthermore, if the Russians allow for a little chance to doubt their determination, there will be a foreign invasion to Syria,” the Arab Studies specialist noted.    

Photo by Sona Barseghyan