Head of the Syrian opposition Negotiations Commission Nasr Al-Hariri spoke in front of the British Parliament about the Syrian issue and its latest developments on Tuesday. He stressed the important role of the United Kingdom and the European Union in exerting pressure on Russia and Iran to force the Assad regime to abide by international resolutions on Syria.
Hariri and an accompanying delegation also met Alistair Burt, UK Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and with Christian Turner, Deputy National Security Adviser in the British capital on Tuesday.
The two sides discussed the role of Britain in the group of friends of Syria and ways of activating the role of the group through the member states’ use of their influence to push the political process forward in order to bring about a solution in Syria in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council resolution 2254.
Britain reiterated its support for the Commission and its efforts to reach a solution to the conflict in Syria. It stressed the need to reach a political settlement in order to ease the suffering of the Syrian people through a real transitional process in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council resolution 2254.
Spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office Rose Griffiths said: “The visit by the Syrian opposition Negotiations Commission is part of the UK’s efforts to work with Syrians and international partners to support a political solution to the conflict in Syria.”
“The Syrian opposition Negotiations Commission is an important partner in these efforts because of its credibility and excellent rapport with the Syrian people in addition to its strong commitment to help end the suffering of the Syrian people.”
Griffiths went on: “We agree with the Syrian opposition that the only way to reach a sustainable solution in Syria is through a genuine political transitional process in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Security Council resolution 2254. We support the UN-led Geneva process to achieve this goal as we call on all parties to make the process a success through the demonstration of pragmatism and flexibility.”
Griffiths also stressed that “the Commission has seriously engaged in the negotiating process in good faith and without preconditions.” She noted that a successful negotiating process needs two sides, but the Assad regime continues to block efforts to reach a political solution especially through his refusal to engage in direct negotiations.” (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
