Head of the opposition’s negotiations delegation to Geneva Asaad Alzoabi said that the Syrian opposition insists Assad cannot have a role in a political solution as and this would be the only way to put an end to violence and the tragedy in Syria. He added that the Assad regime insists on pursuing a military solution to the conflict, encouraged by Russia which is trying to maintain its interests and consolidate its hegemony over Syria.
“Russia is putting Syrians in front of two choices: Accept Assad or killings will continue,” Alzoabi said. He asked “how could Russia claim it acts as a sponsor of negotiations, whether in Geneva or Paris, when it disrupts the political process and pursues a military solution?”
Alzoabi criticized the role of the UN envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura in the negotiations, saying de Mistura listens to decisions by Russia and the US and serves the interests of major powers.
“We want a political solution without Assad, and here begins the role of de Mistura. If he wants a real political solution, he has to work on enforcing UN Security Council resolution 2118, which clearly calls for the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers,” Alzoabi said.
“But de Mistura has not yet recalled this UN resolution. He reiterates that the Assad regime seeks to form a government. This proposal reflects a huge gap between the Assad regime and the Syrian revolution; so I think prospects for the resumption of negotiations are currently quite dim.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Alnahar Newspaper)
