A prominent leader in the Shiite political alliance that heads the Iraqi government has revealed that Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa has been banned from leaving Syrian under a direct order from Bashar Assad.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards asked Assad to hand over the mission of securing Sharaa's property and residences, including one in al-Mazraa and one in Rawda, Damascus, to the Revolutionary Guards, fearing Syrian forces may conspire with him to escape Syria.
The source said the opposition's demand to give Sharaa a role in Geneva negotiations was important and correct step, as Sharaa is known for his wisdom. But, the source said, this may put him in real risk.
The source said rumors are circulating that Bashar Assad gave the Russians guarantees about the safety of his deputy, given Sharaa might have an essential role in the transitional phase.
The Iraqi leader confirmed that the Iranian regime refuses any role for Sharaa in the political solution, because Iran considers him too close to the Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia.
The source said that the problem between the Iranian leaders and Sharaa is based on three reasons:
1. When Sharaa returned from Saudi Arabia in October 2011 upon the death of prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, he reported to Assad a Saudi suggestion detailing a political compromise for the Syrian crisis. The Saudi suggestion included dialogue between the Syrian regime and the opposition, and Saudi Arabia showed willingness to receive Assad if he wanted to step down. Iran attacked Sharaa because he accepted Assad's resignation when he relayed the suggestion.
2. Sharaa has opposed to the interference of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah and Iraqi militias in Syria and warned that Iran's interference will encourage other regional countries to intervene in Syria and lead the Syrian peaceful revolution into an armed conflict.
3. Sharaa asked Russia, along with America, to play a more effective role to find a political solution for the Syrian crisis, a move Tehran interpreted as reducing its role.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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