President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Anas Abdah, gave a comprehensive overview on the work of the Commission to the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) General Assembly at its 61st regular session.
Abdah talked about the Commission’s activities and the results of the meetings it held with foreign officials and envoys in order to reach a political solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom, dignity and democracy and in accordance with UN resolutions, most importantly the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN resolutions 2118 and 2254.
Abdah reaffirmed the Commission’s rejection of the “step for a step” proposal of the UN envoy, Geir Pedersen, stressing that this position was unanimously taken by all components of the Commission.
Moreover, Abdah stressed that the Commission has taken the right position and is working according to the mandate given to it at the Riyadh conference. He made it clear that this mandate confirms that the political process primarily aims to achieve political transition, adding that everyone now appreciates the Commission’s position and its ability to confront attempts to derail the political process.
Abdah stressed that backers of the Assad regime are trying to bypass the governance provision of UN Resolution 2254 which calls for forming a transitional governing body, stressing that these attempts will render the resolution meaningless and empty it of essence.
He made it clear that the Commission’s top priority is to open all tracks of UN Resolution 2254 and implement this resolution in its entirety in order to bring about a genuine political transition.
Abdah pointed out that in all its meetings, the Commission stressed the importance of working to release detainees and disclose the fate of the forcibly disappeared. He also stressed the need to ensure accountability so that the criminals receive the punishment they deserve.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)