Hadi Al Bahra, a member of the Political Committee of the Syrian Coalition, said that “the closer the date of Geneva is, and more certain, the more Assad regime’s comments and its allies become more provocative.” Bahra added that through these statements, the Assad regime “tries to provoke its opponents and dissuade them against going to Geneva 2, due to the fact that the Assad regime felt compelled to attend the conference based on its commitment to the Security Council Resolution no. 2118, which stipulates in its articles 16 and 17 that Assad regime attend the peace conference on the basis of the Geneva 1 Communique. The Security Council resolution also calls for starting negotiations on the formation of a transitional ruling body with full powers, including authority on the army and security apparatuses.” Bahra also stated that the Syrian Coalition’s participation in Geneva 2 is not linked to statements of the Assad regime, but based on the international law and on Geneva 1 Communique, which the international community agreed upon.” Bahra’s remarks came in response to statements made by Syria’s deputy foreign minister, Faisal Al-Mokdad, who said that an agreement at Geneva II, scheduled for January 2014, could not be reached without the approval of Bashar Al-Assad.” Mokdad said: “The delegation that will travel to Geneva will represent the instructions, guidance, viewpoints and impressions of President Al-Assad. In addition, solutions will not be endorsed except with the approval President Al-Assad.” “We will sit around the table and hold discussions without any foreign interference. We should look into all of these issues and for there to be, ultimately, an extended government,” he added. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
