Canberra backs off on Assad

Australia is set to abandon the Abbott government's position that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must step aside as part of any durable peace settlement, it's been reported.

The major policy shift is aimed at hastening the end of the bloody civil war in Syria, The Australian reported on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the newspaper there was an emerging consensus that the Assad regime would likely be pivotal in fortifying the Syrian state and preventing further gains by the Islamic State group.

"It is evident there must be a political as well as a military solution to the conflict in Syria," she said, noting that Australia would play its part in achieving that.

"There is an emerging view in some quarters that the only conceivable option would be a national unity government involving President Assad."

But Ms Bishop said the specific role and duration of President Assad's involvement would likely be temporary.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/09/26/02/59/canberra-backs-off-on-assad#DIic0mRp58iI1uzC.99