Secretary-General of the Syrian National Coalition, Abd al-Basit Abd al-Latif, sent a message to the Syrian people, Arab and Muslim brothers as well as friendly states calling for relieving the people of Idlib in these harsh winter conditions. More than a million people were displaced as a result of military operations being launched by the Assad regime and Russia in northwestern Syria.
In an interview with Zaitoun media agency, Abd al-Latif called on the international community to stop idly watching the tragedy unfolding in Syria. This is a challenge for all humanity; either stop this barbarism and crimes or everyone will be affected.”
“We are faced with enormous challenges, most notably that there is no moral or legal deterrent to prevents the regime from continuing its crimes,” he stressed.
Abd al-Latif pointed out that “the international community is using the Russian veto as a pretext for its inaction. Even the friends of the Syrian people are absent, and when they intervene, they do so only for the sake of their own interests. In contrast, the Assad regime is receiving tremendous support from its allies.”
Abd al-Latif went on to say that “the Syrian Coalition and the Syrian people have been punished from the very beginning. When the rights of this people are not supported, and when criminals are not stopped or punished, any other positions will be worthless, especially when the crisis is being managed instead of its root causes being addressed. The international community is required to enforce its resolutions and fulfil its promises and activate its role in a political solution.”
Moreover, Abd al-Latif stressed the Coalition’s will continue to “communicate with foreign envoys and ambassadors. Our relations with these countries are continuing, and they are expressing their commitment and support, but at the practical, political, and field levels, things are different.”
“Even the simple, sporadic grants are symbolic and do not correspond with the needs and complicated reality. Though we appreciate these grants, we do not base our positions on their continuity or interruption. We will always be guided by the interests of our people and our revolution.”
With regard to the international position of the Coalition and the extent of its influence on the international community, he said: “The Coalition is the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. Its mission is to defend the rights and aspirations of the Syrian people and their revolution. It continues its work to achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people and the goals of their revolution that formed a landmark in the history of peoples’ struggle for their freedom and getting rid of tyranny.” (Source: Syrian National Coalition’s Media Department)
