The opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC) said that Russia and Iran are effectively occupying Syria, calling on the UN General Assembly to urgently discuss the situation in Syria in light of Russia’s blocking of UN Security Council. The HNC called upon the Arab League to take the necessary measures to preserve of the independence of Syria.
At a press conference held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday, HNC spokesman Salim Muslet said that the committee has discussed the systematic destruction of Syria by Assad and who is seeking to empty rebel-held areas of the population to bring about a demographic change in the country. Muslet warned that the regime’s plans pose a serious threat to Syria’s unity, identity and its territorial integrity.
Muslet noted that the HNC discussed the situation on the ground and its impact on the political process during an emergency meeting held on September 8-9 in Riyadh. The HNC has spared no efforts to reach a political solution, Muslet stressed, adding that the Assad regime and its allies undermined all chances of a political solution. Assad and his allies continue to blatantly defy international law and international humanitarian law through committing the most heinous crimes which disrupted the political process and turned it into a cover for the mass killings, destruction and besiegement.
The HNC said all agreements and deals Russia and Iran sign with the Assad regime are null and void as they violate Syria’s sovereignty and independence, calling on the Arab League to take action to protect Syria’s independence. The HNC also called upon the international community as well as friendly and brotherly countries to step up support for the Syrian people to enable them defend themselves and maintain the unity and independence of Syria.
Muslet called on the United Nations General Assembly to convene under the title “United for Peace” in order for action to take place outside the UN Security Council which has been repeatedly blocked by Russia. He added that the UN Security Council, as a result, has so far failed to maintain international peace and security.
Moreover, The HNC called for referring those responsible for the use of internationally prohibited weapons against the Syrian people to the relevant international courts, stressing the need for the UN Security Council to adopt a binding resolution to stop the aerial bombardment and demographic change operations in Syria.
The HNC reaffirmed condemnation of all terrorist acts whomever the perpetrator is, especially the state terrorism practiced by the regime and its allies as well as the sectarian militias and mercenaries the regime is importing from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. The HNC also reiterated its condemnation of the terrorist acts practiced by ISIS and other terrorist groups.
The HNC stressed the need for all components of the Syrian society including civil society and military forces to support the goals of the Syrian revolution and to make every effort to protect the independence and unity of Syria and to defend the Syrian people’s right to a dignified life in a sovereign, independent state. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
