Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, criticizes Assad’s evasiveness about Geneva II’s agenda. When they were asked whether they were willing to discuss the formation of the transitional governing body in parallel with the fight against terrorism and violence, the delegation of the Assad regime replied that “we are willing to discuss the file of violence and terrorism of some groups.” Safi said that “the Assad regime rejects to discuss the formation of the transitional governing body, though it is the mechanism necessary to combat violence and terrorism.” Safi also said that to combat violence and terrorism there must be a political authority composed of patriotic and national figures whose foremost concern is to serve the interests of the Syrian people.” He also denied that the Syrian Coalition seeks to seize power, as the Coalition’s members cannot be part of the first governing authority according to the internal system of the Coalition.” Furthermore, Safi stresses that “we regret that no progress was made during Geneva II negotiations despite the great efforts made by the international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi. It turned out that the Assad regime wants to avoid talking about a political solution, as it will not be in their favor.” Munzer Akbik, spokesman for the Coalition’s president, said the Assad regime’s lack of seriousness and blocking of talks at Geneva II, necessitates that the international community re-evaluate its options towards the Assad regime. “The international mediator Lakhdar Brahimi made concerted efforts to bring about a political solution, but the Assad regime’s recalcitrance and its adherence to formalism foiled all proposed solutions, the latest of which was the formation of a transitional governing body in parallel with fighting terrorism,” Akbik said. He also said that the delegation of the Assad regime declined to increase the negotiating sessions with the Syrian Coalition. “For Syrians, time is blood, and the regime’s refusal to increase these sessions indicates lack of seriousness to reach a political solution and that the Assad regime tries to buy more time to kill more Syrians.” Furthermore, Akbik said that the Syrian Coalition would never give up the formation of the transitional governing body, as this is the only way to fight terrorism practiced by the Assad regime and some extremist groups that were created in Assad’s security intelligence branches. “It is illogical to assign the task of fighting terror to the Assad regime as they are the real manufacturer of terrorism. Hence, it is necessary to form a political authority that can make peace in Syria and the region. Those who accuse the Syrian Coalition of seeking to seize power must keep in mind that the constitution of the Coalition entails that Coalition’s members cannot be part of the first ruling authority. The Assad regime should recognize our demand, which is handing power over to a fully national democratic government.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
