His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday said Syrian President Bashar Assad should start a new phase of political life in Syria.

Responding  to a hypothetical question during an interview with the BBC in London on the current situation in Syria and what he would do if he were in Assad’s position, King Abdullah said: “I believe, if I were in his shoes, I would step down”.

His Majesty added: “I would step down and make sure whoever comes behind me has the ability to change the status quo that we’re seeing,” noting that Assad should also develop an ability to reach out and start a new phase of Syrian political dialogue.

The King  indicated that if Assad was to step down, he should do so in parallel with a change in the way the regime deals with the people. “Again I don’t think the system allows for that, so if Bashar has the interest of his country, he would step down, but he would also create an ability to reach out and start a new phase of Syrian political life,” His Majesty told the BBC.