UPI, Moscow, Aug. 14 , 2012 — Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov says Syrian President Bashar Assad is willing to step down.

In a telephone interview with the Saudi daily al-Watan published Tuesday, Bogdanov said Russia is working to bring about a solution that will guarantee a smooth transition of power.

Bogdanov also said Assad’s brother Maher was severely injured in an explosion that killed a number of senior regime figures in Damascus last month. Maher, who commands Syria’s 4th Division and the Republican Guards in charge of protecting Damascus, lost his legs in the explosion and suffered life-threatening injuries, the Russian official said.

“You know we do not want to be in a non-neutral position or to be against one of the parties in the crisis. We encourage the immediate cessation of hostilities by both sides of the conflict, and since the bombing of Damascus and the absence of Maher and the deaths of leaders, the military and security situation is deteriorating rapidly and is dangerous,” Bogdanov said.

He said Russia talks daily with Syrian regime and opposition officials, seeking a way to resolve the crisis.

“We still believe the only solution is a political one and we need to find a peaceful mechanism that will lead to the transition of power in Syria,” the paper quoted him as saying.