BEIRUT - Syria's deputy foreign minister dismissed on Tuesday the idea of a 'transitional period' in his country, signalling the government's rejection of a political transition sought by Western powers to end a protracted conflict. The comments by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad during an official visit to Tehran were reported by the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV. 'We are talking about a national dialogue in Syria and an expanded government and a constitutional process. We are not at all talking about what is called a transitional period,' Mekdad was quoted as saying.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)