TEHRAN: Iran's PresidentHasan Rouhanisays his country will accept anyone as ruler of Syria who is elected by the Syrian people.
His remarks reported by the official newsagency IRNAare a slight change of emphasis from comments by other Iranian leaders, which have often emphasizedIran's supportfor its ally, Syrian President BasharAssad, and blamed the West for the rebellion against him.
The Mondayreport quotes Rouhanias saying, "Whoever Syrian citizens vote for to rule their country, we'll agree with it.''
Syria plans a presidential election in 2014, but few in the opposition take the vote seriously or believe it can be held amid the country's civil war.
Opposition groupssay they oppose all negotiation withAssad's governmentunless it is aimed at his giving up power.