Iraqi minister says Assad regime to fall within weeks

AFP , Thursday 13 Dec 2012

There is real concern that the Al-Assad troops will use chemical weapons against the rebels and civilians, says Iraqi Finance Minister Rafa Al-Essawi. The regime will fall within weeks

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime appears likely to fall within weeks, a senior minister in Iraq, whose country has avoided publicly taking sides in Syria's conflict, told AFP on Thursday.

"There is a real acceleration regarding the international community focusing on Syria... real concern about the using of chemical weapons," Finance Minister Rafa Al-Essawi said on the sidelines of a meeting with the International Monetary Fund in Amman.

"So I personally feel that the Syrian file and Syrian changes will take place shortly."

"I think, personally, it is weeks."

Essawi, a Sunni Muslim like the majority of Syria's rebels, said international efforts against Assad's regime appeared to be accelerating and noted that battles in the Damascus area indicated that change may be near.

"Now the battle is surrounding the Damascus airport. So being so close on Syria's position like the airport, it gives you the impression of an acceleration."

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