President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, and SOC member Khuzama Al-Afif, met with the United Kingdom’s special envoy to Syria, Ann Snow, in Brussels, Belgium, on the sidelines of the eighth donor conference. They discussed the latest developments in Syria and the need to advance the political process to resolve various crises in Syria and the region.
During the meeting, Al-Bahra expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian and political support provided by the United Kingdom to the Syrian people, particularly in supporting the educational process in the liberated areas. He emphasized the necessity of continuing this support, as it represents a lifeline for millions, and urged collective efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) decisively and effectively to end the political deadlock that continues to cause suffering for the Syrian people.
Al-Bahra highlighted that the revolution and opposition forces unanimously agree on the importance of the international rejection of normalization with the Assad regime, contributing to reconstruction, and the return of refugees before achieving tangible and irreversible progress in the political process. He reiterated that the Syrian people remain steadfast in their goals and aspirations towards justice, freedom, and democracy. Khuzama Al-Afif added that the daily peaceful anti-regime demonstrations in Suwayda confirm the collective stance of Syrians in rejecting the Assad regime.
Al-Bahra warned that the humanitarian situation in Syria is dangerously deteriorating, placing the entire world before a great responsibility, especially regarding fulfilling the pledges made by countries at the Brussels conference. He stressed that the decline in international interest in the Syrian crisis and the failure to implement UN resolutions have significantly contributed to multiple humanitarian crises and will lead to continued waves of refugees and suffering among Syrians. He emphasized that these issues cannot be resolved without addressing the root of the problem and implementing a political solution.
Al-Bahra discussed with the British envoy the issue of early recovery and stressed that it should benefit the Syrian people, not the regime and its associated corruption circles. He emphasized the need for projects to be distributed accurately, transparently, and fairly across all Syrian regions.
Regarding Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Al-Bahra asserted that the Lebanese government has no right to launch crackdowns against the refugees or incite hatred against them, as it was a major partner in causing the refugee influx to Lebanon, particularly in the Qusayr region, which is controlled by a key component of the Lebanese government. He insisted that the Lebanese state must bear its responsibilities regarding this situation. Al-Bahra pointed out that the economic collapse in Lebanon is due to financial, administrative, and political corruption within Lebanon, and attempts to blame Syrian refugees for this will not distract the Lebanese people from the root cause of their economic crisis.
Al-Bahra emphasized that prisoners in Roumieh prison in Lebanon must not be handed over to the Assad regime, especially political prisoners, the majority of whom are defectors from the regime with fabricated charges against them. He warned that negotiating to return them to the regime would be a crime for which the Lebanese government would be responsible. Al-Bahra reiterated that Syria is still not safe for refugees to return to, and the responsibility to protect them lies with host countries’ governments and the international community, ensuring their return is safe, dignified, voluntary, and linked to achieving real progress in the political process and to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
For her part, Ann Snow reaffirmed that the United Kingdom is committed to continuing its support for the Syrian people, maintaining a stance against normalizing relations with the regime, and believing that a political solution in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254 is the only way to end the crises in Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
