Bahra in Cairo to Discuss Prospects of a Political Solution

Ahead of his visit to Egypt, Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Coalition, said that he “would meet with Samih Shukri, Egypt’s foreign minister and Nabil Al-Arabi, the Secretary General of the Arab League, to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the upcoming dialogue conferences scheduled to be held in Moscow and Cairo.” Bahra also pointed out that they would exchange views on De Mistura’s plan, stressing that this plan must be part of a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in Syria. Bahra also said that the situation of the Syrian community in Egypt will top his priorities during his visit to Cairo. “We seek to settle the situation of Syrian graduate students and those admitted to Egyptian universities still waiting for their visas. We will discuss reunification of Syrian families in Egypt and the situation of unsuccessful Europe-bound Syrian immigrants forced to remain or returned to Egypt illegally. The Syrian Coalition informed Russia yesterday that it “would lead the dialogue with all national political trends and civil organizations to exchange views regarding finding a political solution to the conflict.” Bahra said that “Russia finally realizes that the conflict in Syria cannot be solved militarily and that attempts should be made towards brokering a political solution,” during an interview with Russia Today TV channel. Bahra also said that “we call on Russia to be amongst countries who support Syrian-Syrian dialogue,” pointing out that “we and other national political currents share the same vision and sustain the same goals of political transition to democracy and pluralism. We reaffirm that the Syrian Coalition is open to dialogue with all Syrian political currents and blocs that seek to discuss the mechanism of the political transition which is centered on the election of a Constituent Assembly and the rewriting of the Constitution.” Moreover, Bahra stresses “we agree with the Russians that Geneva I protocols are the framework and basis of any future negotiations.” He stresses that Russia, Egypt and the UN envoy De Mistura have not yet proposed any written initiatives for a political solution, but are seeking to revive negotiations and have pledged to support dialogue among Syrians.