Syria ‘can broker peace in Iraq’

Mr Assad said Washington has no vision for Iraq’s future

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his country can play a major role in international efforts to end sectarian violence in Iraq. He told a US TV interview Syria could help mediate in Iraq with support from the US and other states in the region.

Mr Assad said Syria had credibility in Iraq and the region which could help bring about a ceasefire.

He also accused Washington of trying to make his country a “scapegoat” for failures in its own policy on Iraq.

From time to time I feel like the BBC is reporting from another planet.