A Syrian Coalition delegation concluded a two-day visit to the French capital Paris, where it met with French President Francois Hollande, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, president of the French parliament, members of the Foreign Relations Committee in the French Senate, France’s ambassador to Syria, the team in charge of the Syrian-French relations in the French Foreign Ministry, representatives of the French and Syrian relief organizations operating in Syria and a group of intellectuals, activists and Syrian citizens.
The delegation was headed by President of Khoja and included Interim Prime Minister Ahmed Tomeh, Interim Defense Minister Salim Idris and Syrian Coalition members Michel Kilo, Burhan Ghalioun, Salah al-Darwish and Munther Makhos.
The delegation briefed the French officials on the situation in Syria, and stressed the urgent need to put an end to the massacres being committed against the Syrian people.
The visit resulted in a common confirmation by the two sides that the Assad regime is the root cause of terrorism in Syria, and that the Syrian tragedy is impossible to see an end without the departure of Bashar al-Assad and his inner circle. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to build a free and democratic Syria where all citizens are equal in rights and duties.
The French officials stress that the Syrian Coalition is representative of the Syrian people, and pledged to provide support for it, the interim government of the interim Ministry of Defense and also pledged to advocate the demands of the Syrian people in the European and international forums.
President Khoja submitted a formal request to the French President to help find a solution to the problem of passports that affect millions of Syrians. The Syrian Coalition’s foreign mission in Paris and the French Foreign Ministry set about proposing comprehensive solutions to this issue through the United Nations.
President Khoja also submitted a request to the French authorities to work jointly with the Lebanese authorities on taking care of Syrian refugees in Lebanon according to international laws and norms, and on settling the situation of Syrians who have been forced to enter Lebanon illegally. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
