President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) Nasr Al-Hariri, participated in a panel discussion held by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (ORSAM) in the Turkish capital, Ankara, which focused on the latest developments in Syria.
The discussion was moderated by director of the center, Ahmet Uysal, who emphasized the importance of achieving stability in the region, including Syria, and the role of the SOC and its vision for the future of Syria in reaching a political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254.
Al-Hariri pointed out that the tragedy unfolding in Syria and the suffering of the Syrian people were due to the lack of an international will to meet the demands of the Syrian people.
He pointed out that the recent months have witnessed many important developments that left their impact on the balance of regional and international powers. He said that that period witnessed multiple operations that broke the back of terrorist organizations, ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
He also talked about the economic meltdown in Syria, especially in the regime-held areas, and the serious rifts within the Assad family. He also talked about the joint military operations between the Syrian National Army and the Turkish army to confront the PYD militia. He also talked about the US’s issuance of the Caesar Act, which deprived the regime of access to the international community and aggravated its crises.
He said that the regime and its backers cannot achieve military victory or imposing their will on the Syrian people, stressing that a political solution exists only on paper.
Furthermore, Al-Hariri indicated that the regime is not ready for a solution as it disrupted all efforts to reach a political solution, stressing that there are no objective conditions in support of a political solution.
“As long as there are parties who support Bashar al-Assad’s quest for a military solution, there will be no possibility of reaching a political solution.”
Al-Hariri reaffirmed the SOC’s supports for a political solution and the implementation of the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council Resolutions 2118 and 2254.
The SOC is seeking a resolution for the humanitarian issues, most importantly the issue of detainees, and the establishment of a credible, inclusive, non-sectarian government in line with international resolutions. It also seeks drafting a new constitution for the country that guarantees the fulfillment of the Syrian people’s demands and then holding parliamentary and presidential elections under the UN supervision.
He went on to say that a solution in Syria would be through addressing the issue of dictatorship represented by Bashar al-Assad and his regime, in addition to establishing the foundations of democracy, development, freedom and dignity in the country.
He called on all friendly and sisterly countries to confront Russia with that fact, and to emphasize the need to end tyranny and establish transitional rule.
Al-Hariri stressed the need to establish a transitional governing body that creates a safe and neutral environment; allows the return of refugees to their homes; allows the release of detainees, and the holding of free elections.
Al-Hariri talked about the situation in the region east of the Euphrates, which is under the control of terrorist organizations that used the fight against ISIS as a pretext to secure military and financial support. He pointed out that these militias are alien to the Syrian society as their project differs from the national project.
The region east of the Euphrates has witnessed rapid, serious developments in recent weeks, most notably the PYD militia’s imposition of ideology-based educational curricula, assassination of Arab tribal leaders, and signing oil agreements in violation of Syrian sovereignty.
“The latest of these developments is the issuance of the so-called Law No. 7 through which the PYD tries to seize the property of the displaced people,” he said, adding that these developments aim to divide Syria.
Al-Hariri also talked about the developments in the political process and preparations for participation in the work of the Constitutional Committee which was called by the UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, on August 24.
He said that there is a big opportunity to increase coordination between the SOC, the Turkish government, and the rest of the friendly countries in order to protect the liberated areas and manage them properly. He pointed out that such coordination will help reach a political solution, preserve the unity and independence of Syria, and serve as an advanced model for the world in managing this region and providing services to its civilians.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
