The joint delegation of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) and Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) to the United States met the Kuwaiti mission to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 76th mission of the UN General Assembly. The two sides discussed the latest developments on the ground and in the political process in Syria.
The meeting brought together SOC’s President Salem Al-Meslet, SNC’s President Anas Abdah, Secretary of the SOC’s political committee Abdul Majeed Barakat, member of the committee and Head of the SNC’s Foreign Relations Office Badr Jamous, the SOC’s representative at the UN Maryam Chalabi, and the Kuwaiti Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Mansour Ayed Al-Otaibi.
The joint delegation thanked the State of Kuwait for its principled positions and support for Syrian people’s demands and aspirations for freedom, dignity and democracy, as well as for its important role in extending UN Resolution 2585.
The delegation attributed the political impasse to the waning international attention to Syria, adding that this impasse proved very costly to the Syrian people. They called for pushing the political process forward to bring about a political transition, which needs the support of the Kuwaiti brothers.
The delegation made it clear that the majority of states are increasingly ignoring the political side and focusing instead on the humanitarian issue. They stressed that the cause of the Syrian people cannot be reduced to the humanitarian aspect, and that only a political solution can solve all the crises that the Syrian people are suffering from.
The delegation pointed out although UN resolution 2254 includes four tracks, only one track is being discussed in a slow process. They stressed the need for friendly and sisterly states to open all tracks of UN resolution 2254 and speed up the political process.
The delegation warned of the dangers of the growing influence of Iran in Syria, stressing that this would not only pose a threat to Syria, but also to all Arab countries.
Moreover, the delegation stressed the importance of addressing the issue of detainees as it affects every Syrian household. They called for supporting all initiatives regarding the formation of an impartial international mechanism for the release detainees and disclosing the fate of the forcibly disappeared, in addition to activating the issue of accountability.
For his part, Al-Otaibi reaffirmed his country’s continued support for political solution in Syria in accordance with UN Resolution 2254 and for the humanitarian sector. He stressed that Kuwait supports a unified and sovereign Syria.
The Kuwaiti diplomat praised the efforts of the joint delegation to attract more attention to Syria through the meetings it is holding in the United States, which is evidence of the continuation of work despite all pressures.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)