Syria opposition may accept role for Assad's party

A Syrian boy, who fled his home with his family due to fighting between government forces and rebels, plays near his tent at a refugee camp near the Turkish border, Azaz, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.

Manu Brabo, Associated Press

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An elderly Syrian woman, who fled her home with her family due to fighting between government forces and rebels, chants, “Allah,” meaning God in Arabic, inside her tent at a refugee camp near the Turkish border, in Azaz, Syria, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.

Manu Brabo, Associated Press

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BEIRUT — The leader of Syria's main opposition group says members of President Bashar Assad's ruling Baath party can play a role in Syria's political future as long as they did not participate in killings during the country's uprising and civil war.

Abdulbaset Sieda's comments Monday appear to be a softening of the opposition's stance that it will accept nothing less than the complete removal of the Assad regime and its inner circle.

Sieda is the head of the opposition Syrian National Council, based in Turkey.

He told The Associated Press that the SNC will meet next week in Qatar and will discuss, among other things, the possibility that Syria's current Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa can be an interim leader for Syria if Assad steps down. Ankara has suggested al-Sharaa as option.

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Syria opposition may accept role for Assad’s party