Fayez Sarah, political and media adviser to the President of the Syrian Coalition, said that “the Assad regime cannot be trusted, as they have always breached the agreements with activists in Syria or with civil society, or even agreements with the international community.” Sarah stresses that clearest indication of lack of commitment by the Assad regime is “stalling the handover of chemical weapons, as only 4% of the stockpile has been transferred so far.” Sarah’s remarks followed announcement by the United Nations about reaching a “truce on humanitarian grounds” in Homs, whereby civilians will be allowed to get out of the besieged city and humanitarian aid will be delivered to the remaining people inside the city. Sarah also said that the United Nations is responsible for holding the Assad regime to its commitments and for holding them accountable for wriggling out of its obligations. When asked about whether the Assad regime intends to change the demography of the city through this agreement, Sarah said that that the Assad regime sees the agreement form it own perspective, but we see it as meeting the needs of the people who has long been suffering as a result of the blockade. The Assad regime is willing to do whatever they see as lying in the interest, but what is more important is that the international community should not be misled by the regime’s policies and must strongly react to these demagogic acts.” In a similar vein, while welcoming the deal, the US voiced concern over the Syrian government’s intentions. “Given that the regime, up to this point, has described just about anybody living in opposition territory as a terrorist – and has attacked them as such – you know, we have reason on the basis of history to be very skeptical,” US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power said in New York. She added that Washington was “very concerned about anybody who falls into regime hands who comes from a part of the country that has been under opposition control.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)
