Pushkov: Assad's departure could lead to seizure of Syria by rebels

Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs Alexei Pushkov said that the withdrawal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could lead to the collapse of the army and the country's occupation by militants.

"In Syria, the choice is simple: either Assad or ISIS. The moderate opposition has no military force. After Assad’s withdrawal there could be a collapse of the army and the country's occupation by militants,’’ RIA Novosti quotes the parliamentarian’s message on his Twitter page.