Vice-President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Abddulahad Astepho, stressed that Syria is returning to the international community’s focus of attention. He pointed out that the month of May witnessed many activities on the Syria by the United Nations with regard to the political process, the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons, and the humanitarian issues.
Astepho was speaking at a discussion session held by the SOC’s Committee of Parties and Political Blocs on the prospects of the political process and changes in the SOC. The session brought together representatives of the Syrian national parties, blocs and groupings.
Astepho pointed out that the political process, which began in 2014 to achieve a political transition in the country, has stalled and entered into labyrinths for various reasons, foremost of which is the intervention of Russia and the international community’s failure to take serious measures to implement UN resolutions.
Moreover, Astepho spoke about the problematic “step for step” proposal of the UN envoy, Geir Pedersen, and the SOC’s clear position on it, adding that this proposal is still vague and unclear.
He indicated that there are points already agreed upon with the international community, namely the issues of accountability, the release of detainees and the disclosure of the fate of the forcibly disappeared.
Astepho also stressed that the sanctions will not be lift off the Assad regime, nor will be any exemptions from the sanctions imposed on the symbols of the Assad regime and those who deal with it, which will help stymie any attempts to normalize relations with the Assad regime.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
