The Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) held a virtual meeting with political advisors of the European Union and discussed with them the latest developments in Syria, the health situation in the liberated areas, and the surge of coronavirus infections.
The meeting brought together SOC’s President Nasr Al-Hariri, Coordinator of the SOC’s Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Asteipho, member of the General Assembly, Dima Moussa, SOC’s representatives in the European Union, SOC’s representative to the United Nations, Maryam Chalabi, and SOC’s representative to the United States Qutaiba. Idilbi.
Al-Hariri, who is currently at the SOC’s office in Azaz, rural Aleppo, talked about the situation in the liberated areas as he pointed out that the SOC moved to work in the liberated areas alongside the Syrian Interim Government and other executive institutions in order to manage these areas and protect all components of Syrian society in these areas.
Al-Hariri pointed out that an entire generation of Syrian children has grown up knowing nothing but war that has been ongoing on for nearly ten years. He added that the Assad regime’s war against the Syrian people has put Syrian children in difficult living conditions and made them suffer from hunger and poverty, calling for stepping up support for children in the liberated areas as well as relief and humanitarian support for those in need.
Moreover, Al-Hariri talked about the health conditions in the liberated areas and the efforts to stem the coronavirus pandemic, stressing that the situation is very grave. He also stressed the need to step up support for the medical sector in the face of the crisis.
He said that all countries are facing great difficulty facing this pandemic, adding that the situation is even more difficult in the liberated areas as there are no adequate sterilization tools and isolation places, especially in the IDP camps.
Al-Hariri also talked about the political process as he stressed the need to fully implement UN Resolution 2254, including the four baskets laid in the resolution, as well as fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people for freedom, dignity and democracy.
Al-Hariri also talked about the SOC’s decision to form the National Commission for Elections, its goals, tasks and work mechanisms, stressing that the SOC would not accept any elections involving Bashar al-Assad.
Furthermore, Al-Hariri stressed that Russia insists on pursuing a military solution through military escalation against civilians, neglect of the issue of detainees, repeated attempts to rehabilitate the Assad regime, and most recently its holding of a conference on the return of refugees.
Al-Hariri thanked the European Union, Turkey and the United States for their refusal to participate in the conference, stressing that the return of refugees must be voluntary, dignified and in a safe environment and after achieving a genuine political transition under the supervision of the United Nations.
SOC’s member Dima Moussa, who is also a member of the Constitutional Committee, gave an overview on the developments in the work of the Constitutional Committee and the fourth round due to take place in January. She stressed the need for a safe environment, the implementation of UN Resolution 2254, and commitment to Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
