US won’t accept Assad participating in elections: Haley

n a departure from earlier official statements, the United States has said it cannot accept Syrian President Bashar al-Assad running in future elections.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley made the remarks during a news conference held on Monday at the UN Headquarters in New York City to mark the US presidency of the UN Security Council for April.

She was asked about US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s comments made in Turkey last week. “I think the longer term status of President Assad will be decided by the Syrian people,” Tillerson said.

Haley, who herself said on Thursday the US is no longer interested in removing the Syrian leader, changed her tone on him on Monday, saying it does not mean Washington will accept Assad participating in future elections.