Syrian President Bashar Assad has not made a decision on running for a new presidential term in 2021, he said in an interview with Itogi Nedeli (Weekly Results) program on NTV Television Channel on Sunday, TASS reported.
"There are two factors here: the first one is my wish, and it proceeds from the second factor - the will of the Syrian people," Assad said.
"We have three more years. Will the Syrian people be ready to accept the same person, the same president or not by that time, in 2021? If they are ready I’ll think about this, but it is early now, there are three years ahead," the president said.
In the same interview, Assad said that Syria’s post-war reconstruction will be carried out by the country’s own efforts.
"Despite that the war is underway now, we have enough means to restore the country, we are sure about that," Assad said.
"[If] we have no money, we will borrow from our friends, the Syrians who live abroad, and from our treasury. We do not worry about that," Assad stressed, noting that the reconstruction may take more time than expected.
According to Assad, many European companies plan to earn money on Syria’s post-war reconstruction, which may cost at least $400 bln. "When European countries speak about assistance in Syria’s reconstruction, they think about how to earn money rather than how to help Syria," he said. "Many European companies contact with us and try to open the door to Syria for their investments.".
