President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Nasr Al-Hariri, met with the leader Masoud Barzani in the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Erbil to discuss bilateral relations, the major common issues in the region, and the latest on the ground and political developments.
The SOC’s delegation comprised SOC’s Vice-presidents Abdel Hakim Bashar and Ruba Habboush, Secretary General Abdelbaset Abdullatif, Coordinator of the Department of the Foreign Relations Abdulahad Asteipho, members of the political committee Muhammad Yahya Maktabi, Muhammad Salou, Yasser Al-Farhan.
Al-Hariri praised the “principled position” of Barzani and Iraqi Kurdistan Region and their “support for the Syrian people and their demands for freedom, dignity and deliverance from the criminal regime.”
Al-Hariri reaffirmed the SOC’s keenness to maintain the distinguished relations with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in order to overcome the serious challenges in the region, especially in Syria, namely the militias of the Assad and Iranian regimes as well as the terrorist organizations such as the PKK, Al Qaeda and ISIS.
Moreover, Al-Hariri stressed that the Syrian revolution belong to all Syrians without exception as he evoked the enormous sacrifices and its fallen heroes, chief among them was Meshaal Tammo who sacrificed his life for the sake of the Syrian people’s freedom and dignity.
For his part, Barzani reaffirmed his continued support of the Syrian people’s struggle for freedom and dignity as well as for the SOC with all its components, including the Kurdish National Council, in their struggle to achieve democratic transition in Syria.
Barzani pointed out that the international conflicting interests in Syria coupled with the intransigence of the Assad regime has exacerbated the gridlock and undermined chances of reaching a solution. He stressed the need to confront terrorist organizations, pointing out that the PKK organization is using the PYD as a cover to avoid being designated a terrorist designation, adding that the behavior of the two groups remained the same and that the PKK elements are the group that is calling the shots.
Barzani reiterated his welcome to Syrian refugees again, stressing that the doors of the region will remain open to the “Syrian brothers and neighbors.” (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
