Despite the demonstration of military strength, speculation has been mounting
that Russia is subtly realigning its once unquestioned support for Mr Assad,
although its public position is unlikely to change.
This week, Moscow announced that it would halt the delivery of new weapons to
the Syrian armed forces, while some of Mr Assad’s leading opponents have
been invited to the Kremlin for talks.
Meanwhile, Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League special envoy to Syria, sought
regional support for his faltering peace plan as he held talks with senior
officials in both Iran and Iraq.
Mr Annan, who said this week that he was working on a new proposal to end the
fighting in Syria, said he believed that Iran could play a “positive
role” in ending the crisis, despite its close relationship with the
Assad regime.
The United States has accused Iran of propping up Mr Assad, by giving him arms
and logistical support.
Mr Annan has said that he will brief the Syrian opposition on a new approach
he has agreed with Mr Assad earlier this week. Although he would not be
drawn on the specifics of the proposal, he said that his new plan involved
ending the conflict on a step-by-step basis, beginning with districts that
have suffered the worst violence.
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