WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on reports the removal of Bashar al-Assad from Syria was no longer an objective of the United States.

“If the press reports are accurate and the Trump Administration is no longer focusing on removing Assad, I fear it will be the biggest mistake since President Obama failed to act after drawing a red line against Assad’s use of chemical weapons.

“To suggest that Assad is an acceptable leader for the Syrian people is to ignore the wholesale slaughter of the Syrian people by the Assad regime. Leaving him in power is also a great reward for Russia and Iran.

“I hope these reports are not accurate, but if they are, the war in Syria will never really end as the Syrian people want Assad removed from power. Hundreds of thousands have died in the fight to accomplish exactly that goal.

“Finally, this would be crushing news to the Syrian opposition and to our allies throughout the Middle East. I fear it is a grave mistake.”

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