Syria's Assad thanks UN chief for comments on taking Palmyra

This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian government soldiers patrol a street in the ancient city of Palmyra, central Syria. The amount of destruction found inside the archaeological area in the historic town was similar to what experts have expected but the shock came Monday from inside the local museum where the extremists have caused wide damage demolishing invaluable statues that were torn to pieces. (SANA via AP) (The Associated Press)

This photo released on Sunday March 27, 2016, by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows a burned banner of the Islamic State group, in the ancient city of Palmyra, central Syria. The amount of destruction found inside the archaeological area in the historic town was similar to what experts have expected but the shock came Monday from inside the local museum where the extremists have caused wide damage demolishing invaluable statues that were torn to pieces. (SANA via AP) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2015, file photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad gives an interview with the BBC in Damascus, Syria. On Wednesday, March 30, 2016, Assad said in an interview with Sputnik, a Russian state news agency, that Syria needs a national unity government that would secure the transition to a new constitution, rejecting the "transitional body" demanded by the opposition, which wants him to step down. Assad said Syrian refugees will begin returning home when they see hope for improvement, adding that one of the main causes of migration is Western sanctions against Syria. (SANA via AP, File) (The Associated Press)