However, Jamil rejected the idea of making Assad’s resignation the condition for any future negotiations But he said the president’s departure could be a topic of discussion.

“As far as his resignation goes –making the resignation itself a condition for holding dialogue means that you will never be able to reach this dialogue. But any problems can be discussed during negotiations. We are even ready to discuss this issue,” Jamil said.

This si the first time a government representative has addressed media reports concerning the possibility of Assad’s departure from power.

Meanwhile, France’s Prime Minister Ayrault reiterated France’s position that Assad must step down on Wednesday, a day after Jamil made remarks about Assad’s departure.

Speaking on BFMTV-RMC radio, Ayrault said France had responded positively to a request for help from the rebels seeking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and said that they have been providing the rebels with “non-lethal” military aid, according to Al Arabiya.

Also, U.S. pressure on Syria escalated on Monday when President Barack Obama suggested that he would consider a military strike if Damascus made use of chemical weapons stockpile it acknowledged having only last month.

Meanwhile, heavy shelling and clashes have continued to rage across swathes of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, as both the regime and rebels claim they are gaining ground, according to Al Jazeera.  The rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) claimed that it controlled almost two-thirds of the city, which has been battered by a month of air strikes, shelling and fighting.