The former US ambassador to Syria has revealed details of his confrontation with President Bashar Al-Assad over human rights. Speaking to the Los Angeles and Southern California News (ABC7), Robert Ford said that Assad “yelled at him” when he brought up the subject of human rights. Ford served as ambassador in Syria from 2011 to 2014.

“He speaks fluent English, very personable,” Ford said, “but when I raised human rights with him, he got quite angry and started yelling at me.” He also pointed to the violent attacks on several embassies in Iraq and Syria, where he had been stationed.

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The former ambassador stressed that despite the existence of some militant groups, the Syrian people are mostly friendly, generous and hospitable. In this context, Ford mentioned the refugees from Armenia and Iraq hosted by the Syrians many years ago. “What is happening with them [the Syrians] now, is a real tragedy,” he added.

When asked about his advice to Donald Trump regarding the situation in Syria, especially after the US President’s recent conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Ford said that Russia should stop granting Assad the full authorisation to bomb Syrian cities. He hopes that Trump is able to change Russia’s policy and persuade it to put pressure on Assad.

Putin, he explained, seeks US flexibility regarding Ukraine and the Crimea, as well as recognition of Russia’s strong influence in the Middle East.