President of the Syrian Coalition Riad Seif and members of the political committee visited the office of the Syrian Islamic Council in Istanbul, Turkey and met the President of the Council Sheikh Osama Rifaie and members of the Board of Trustees.
The two sides agreed on the need for greater cooperation and coordination among all institutions of the Syrian revolution to advance the cause of the revolution and alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
“We need your efforts and support as we are seeking to work with all the revolution institutions to add more impetus to the revolution,” Rifaie said. “There are millions of Syrians who are waiting for the institutions of the revolution to meet their daily needs and alleviate their suffering in light of the daily killings, siege, displacement, and detention by the Assad regime.”
Seif stressed the importance of maintaining popular support for the revolution, pointing out that this requires a “sensible and rational leadership.” He suggested that the next phase would see the incorporation of new active elements into the Coalition as part of the Coalition’s strategy to introduce reforms so that it can carry out its tasks much more effectively.
Seif also stressed the need to for national projects aimed at introducing reforms. He said: “We count on the brothers in the Islamic Council for cooperation in this regard.”
For his part, Sheikh Rifaie congratulated the new presidential body for gaining the confidence of the Syrian Coalition as he wished them success in their work. He also stressed the importance of the Syrian Coalition constituting “the political backbone of the Syrian revolution.”
Rifaie stressed the need for all Syrian institutions to work with the Coalition. “We need bridges of communication that can be turned into coordination mechanisms so that we close ranks and end fragmentation.” Rifaie expressed hope that the meeting will be the beginning of sustained communication and coordination between the two sides in the service of the interests of the Syrian people. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
