Riad Hijab, General Coordinator of the opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC), reiterated the Syrian opposition’s firm commitment to the goals and guiding principles of the revolution, stressing that toppling the Assad regime “is a necessity, not an option.” He said that the HNC is not authorized to waive the demands of the Syrian people.
“The world must realize that what is taking place in Syria is not a struggle for power, but a popular uprising against tyranny,” said Hijab during a teleconference with representatives of the local councils and leaders of the revolutionary movement in Dara’a province.
“The current situation in Syria is the result of the failure of the current regime to effectively administer the affairs of the country,” Hijab added.
“We will continue to press the legitimate demands of the Syrian people as we are not authorized to relinquish them. Our legitimacy depends on the extent of our commitment to carry out our duty with the utmost conscientiousness and sincerity.”
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry on Sunday denied media reports that Saudi Arabia was considering a political transition with a first phase in which Assad will stay in power. It said that media reports quoting Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir regarding the fate of Assad are “inaccurate.”
In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry reiterated commitment to a solution in Syria in accordance with the principles of the Geneva 2012 Communique and UN Security Council Resolution 2254, stressing that Assad should have no place in such a solution or in the future of Syria.
For their part, representatives of the local councils and leaders of the revolutionary movement in Dara’a province reaffirmed firm commitment to the goals and guiding principles of the revolution, most importantly the overthrowing of the Assad regime along with all its symbols and pillars.
They also stressed the need to main Syria’s unity and expressed outright rejection of plans to partition the country. Moreover, the representatives and leaders stressed that the de-escalation zones agreement which has recently been reached in Dara’a must cover all Syrian territory. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)