The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) General Assembly concluded its 55th session which began at the SOC’s office in the town of Azaz in rural Aleppo on Sunday.
The Assembly discussed the latest on the ground and political developments. The session coincided with the tenth anniversary of the start of the Syrian revolution.
SOC’s President Nasr Al-Hariri gave an overview on the work, activities and meetings that he conducted in recent months. He stressed the importance of continuing to work hard to face the upcoming challenges and support the Syrian people in their struggle for freedom, dignity and democracy.
SOC’s Vice-Presidents submitted reports on their work to the General Assembly, detailing the work of the SOC’s departments, offices and committees. They also talked about the major decisions taken in recent months.
SOC’s Secretary-General Abdelbaset Abdullatif gave an overview on the work and activities the General Secretariat carried out to support the work of the SOC’s departments, offices, committees and executive institutions in the liberated areas.
Head of the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), Abdurrahman Mustafa, and SIG’s ministers submitted reports on their work, especially their efforts to ensure the return of security and stability to the liberated areas, improve basic services provided to citizens, and provide a distinct model of management.
The 55th session also included a review of reports by the SOC’s political committee, departments, offices and committees.
Moreover, the Assembly discussed the intensive preparations for commemorating the tenth anniversary of the revolution in rural Aleppo, including putting up a memorial commemorating the fallen heroes of the Syrian revolution. It pointed to participation in the celebration that will be held in Afrin on March 21 on the occasion of the Nowruz festival with the participation of political parties, revolutionary forces, and societal and civil bodies. The celebration will serve as an expression of cohesion amongst the Syrian people in the face of the Assad regime that has subjected them to persecution and deprived them of their cultural rights.
President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Anas Abdah, talked about the developments in the political process that is based on UN Resolution 2254, which includes three parts: the release of detainees and the disclosure of the fate of the forcibly disappeared, accountability for war crimes against civilians, and the negotiation process. Abdah emphasized that the first and second parts must not be subject to negotiations.
Abdah pointed out that the political process is going through a critical juncture due to the Assad regime’s intransigence and its refusal to engage and implement UN Resolution 2254, stressing that saving UN Resolution 2254 is a priority for the Commission at the current stage.
Co-chair of the Constitutional Committee Hadi al-Bahra talked about the developments in the constitutional process, indicating that the most important achievement in the fifth session of the Constitutional Committee was that the opposition remained committed to its obligations. He said that the UN envoy, Geir Pedersen, held the Assad regime responsible for obstructing efforts to reach a political solution.
Al-Bahra pointed out that the UN envoy called on the Assad regime to set a methodology for work in the sixth session. He also said that the Assad regime’s delegation presented a proposal that the Commission rejected, and that the Commission in turn submitted another proposal for the sixth session of the Constitutional Committee. He stressed that they are working to set a timetable for the work of the Constitutional Committee.
Furthermore, members of the General Assembly discussed the conditions on the ground, the amendments made to the representation of armed opposition in the SOC, and approval of new nominations from the Syrian National Army.
Participants also discussed developments in the political process. They held a virtual meeting with the ambassadors of friendly and sisterly states and discussed with them the major issues in Syria. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
