Riad Hijab, General Coordinator of the oppositions’ High Negotiations Committee (HNC), reiterated the committee’s rejection of giving any role for Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle in the transitional period or future Syria.
Following a meeting with China’s special envoy to Syria, Xie Xiaoyan and officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, Hijab pointed out that the Assad regime continues to violate UN Security Council resolutions on Syria. He added that Assad’s campaign on Aleppo aims to empty it of is residents with the help of foreign militias.
Hijab also reiterated the HNC’s commitment to Syria’s unity and territorial integrity, the establishment of pluralistic regime and maintaining state institutions. He also reaffirmed commitment to a political solution in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and the relevant UNSC resolutions, especially resolutions 2118 and 2254. Since inception, the HNC has dealt positively and seriously with efforts aimed at reaching a political solution, he stressed.
The launch of a new round of negotiations requires laying out a clear timetable for political transition; the enforcement of UN resolutions; allowing humanitarian access; the release of detainees; and facilitating the return of displaced persons to their homes, Hijab said.
Hijab went on to say that the Syrian people want to live in freedom and safety away from extremism, wars, tyranny, dictatorships and terrorist organizations. He called for the withdrawal of all foreign militias and forces from Syria.
Hijab also called upon China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to play a more active role in Syria to reach a political transition. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
