Bashar al-Assad Makes Rare TV Appearance

Bashar al-Assad and Saeed Jalili

Today Syrian TV showed footage of a meeting between Bashar al-Assad and Iran’s security chief. This is the first time al-Assad has appeared on state television for some weeks.

His appearance occurred a day after Primer Minister Riyad Hijad defected to the opposition. Iran’s security chief Saeed Jalili stated that only a “Syrian solution” would end the crisis.

Al-Assad and Jalili discussed bilateral relations between Syria and Iran, as well as the situation of the region. Tehran is also planning an international meeting on Syria on Thursday. (AV)