President of the Syrian Coalition, Abdurrahman Mustafa, met with James Jeffrey, the US State Department’s special envoy to Syria in Brussels on Thursday and discussed with him the importance of protecting civilians, especially from the ongoing deadly attacks by the Assad regime in Idlib province.
President Mustafa pointed out that it has become clear how the Assad regime uses military escalation against civilians whenever there is an event or conference held to serve the Syrian people. He added: “It is very important to preserve the Idlib agreement and revitalize the political process under the full supervision of the United Nations.”
President Mustafa also said that the Brussels III Conference gives a reasonable opportunity to support the Syrian people and ease their suffering. He pointed out that all the projects proposed by the supporters are under threat as the Assad regime carries on with the bombings and destruction.
“The only way to end the suffering of the Syrian people is through the political solution outlined in UN Security Council resolutions, most importantly the Geneva Communique and UN resolution 2254.”
President Mustafa added: “The Coalition looks forward to increased political and diplomatic action by the United States to restore balance to the political process aimed at building a secure, stable state that is free of the Assad regime and the Iranian militias.”
Moreover, President Mustafa stressed the need for accountability for all war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons and indiscriminate bombings and destruction as well as the brutal torture in prisons and the forced displacement. He called for taking a tougher stance against the Assad regime and the crimes it is committing in Syria.
The two sides also discussed the latest developments in northeast Syria. President Mustafa stressed the need for coordination with Turkey and the taking of joint steps in this regard.
For his part, Mr. Jeffrey stressed that the US-Turkish talks are still ongoing. He pointed to the importance of the presence of a delegation from the Syrian Coalition on the sidelines of the Brussels III Conference. He reaffirmed his country’s continued support for the Syrian people’s demands for freedom and dignity and the elimination of all terrorist organizations and militias.
Mr. Jeffrey also stressed that Washington does not see any possible solution in Syria other than the political one, noting that half of the Syrian people are now outside the control of the Assad regime because of the criminal actions he is committing against them. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
