The Syrian opposition’s chief negotiator in the Geneva talks Mohammad Alloush said that the rude remarks made by the head of the regime’s negotiating delegation to Geneva Bashar Jaafari reflect the frustration of the regime due to harsh circumstances it is going through on the political, military and diplomatic levels.
Alloush reiterated that the transitional period in Syria begins with the departure of Assad or his death after he stands trial.
Jaafari described Mohamed Alloush as a “terrorist” belonging to an “organization that bombed the Faculty of Architecture in Damascus.”
Alloush responded by saying: “We are defending our people against the regime that kills, maims and displaces them. We came to Geneva out of our belief in a political solution that could end the bloodshed.”
“As for the regime’s claims that we targeted the Faculty of Architecture in Damascus, it has been proven that the shells that hit the area came from Mount Qasioun, which is under the control of regime forces,” Alloush added.
Asked if he would exchange handshakes with Bashar Jaafari, Alloush said that “I am willing to negotiate with Jaafari, but will not shake hands with him until Bashar al-Assad is removed from power.”
At a press conference in Geneva on Wednesday, Jaafari said that he “would not shake hands with Alloush only after he apologizes for his remarks and after he shaves his beard.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Smart News Agency)