President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr Al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with the United Kingdom’s Political Coordinator at the United Nations, Sonia Farrey, and discussed with her the latest developments in Syria on the sidelines of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Hariri stressed the important role of the United Kingdom in supporting the political process in Geneva, as well as its role in the issue of accountability, at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and its constructive role at the UN Security Council.
The two parties discussed the results of the work of the Constitutional Committee as al-Hariri pointed out that the Assad regime continues to obstruct the efforts to reach consensus on the agenda of the next round of talks in Geneva. He stressed the need to reach a real, sustainable political process and enforce UN resolutions on Syria, especially UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Al-Hariri pointed out that the ceasefire agreement in Idlib is still holding, stressing the importance of reaching a nationwide ceasefire. He warned of attempts by the Assad regime and its backers to make up pretexts to launch new military campaigns in pursuit of a bloody military solution.
Moreover, Al-Hariri talked about the situation in northeastern Syria and the PYD militia’s continued violations as he stressed that any dialogue process must lead to an end to of the presence of the PKK terrorist organization in Syria; ensure the return of the displaced people to their areas of origin; and preserve the unity of Syria.
Al-Hariri also highlighted the conditions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, making it clear that the majority of Syrian prisoners in Lebanon were imprisoned for political reasons related to their activities in the Syrian revolution. He called for securing their release and transferring them to northwestern Syria.
Furthermore, Al-Hariri talked about the plight of detainees in the prisons of the Assad regime as he stressed the need for confidence-building measures in line with UN resolution 2254. He also called for forming a follow-up committee under the supervision of the United Nations to release the detainees as part of those measures.
Al-Hariri stressed that the SOC and the Syrian Interim Government are tracking all violations in the liberated areas; working to address them; seeking to hold the perpetrators accountable; and securing a decent life for the population.
The two sides agreed that it is the duty of the UN Security Council to put an end to the Assad regime’s violations against civilians in Syria; enforce UN Security Council resolutions; and hold perpetrators accountable.
Al-Hariri demanded that there be a SOC representative at the United Nations and UN Security Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
