LOC23:05
20:05 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 23 (KUNA) -- The United States on Monday confirmed it was
working with tribal leaders in Syria to build opposition against the Al-Assad
regime.
State department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that Syrian tribe in the
eastrn part of the country are "increasingly strong in their opposition of the
Assad regime, in their interest in seeing change."
"We are working with them as we are working with other groups, as are many
of Syria's neighbors in the region," Nuland told reporters at a press briefing.
The State department is seeking to build collaborations between the tribes
and opposition groups inside and outside of Syria in order to build a common
strategy for transition and prepare for interim security if Al-Assad's regime
steps down from power.
During the 2006 and 2007, Pentagon officials used a similar strategy during
the height of conflict in Iraq.
As for the Syrian Presidents rule Nuland emphasized the end of the Syrian
president and is his regime is imminent, "Assad is going to go. His regime is
going to crumble. The question is simply how long." (end)
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