Syria's Bashar al-Assad 'will not discuss quitting'
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he has no intention of quitting, and the issue is not up for discussion at peace talks starting on Wednesday.
Opposition groups have previously demanded the removal of Mr Assad as a condition of any discussions on a possible transitional government.
The main opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), only agreed to attend the so-called Geneva II talks on Saturday.
Jim Muir says there is a "huge gulf" between the two sides.
19 Jan 2014
- From the section Middle East