President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr Al-Hariri, held his periodic meeting with the local and Arab media to talk about the on the ground and political developments in Syria as well as the activities that the SOC’s executive institutions are carrying out in the liberated areas.
Al-Hariri talked about the dire living conditions the displaced people in northwestern Syria are going through and the health situation in the liberated areas in light of the surge in coronavirus infections.
He gave an overview on the activities the SOC’s executive arms, most notably the Syrian Interim Government, are carrying out to improve basic services in the liberated areas, and the SOC’s opening of new institutions as part of the efforts to provide assistance to citizens and alleviate their suffering.
Moreover, Al-Hariri pointed out that the province of Idlib is still under the threat of military operations, stressing that the Assad regime uses these operations as a distraction to divert attention from the growing crises it is facing.
He added that there are still sleeper cells in the liberated areas that carry out sabotage, citing the repeated explosions that take place in these areas. He pointed to the important Turkish role in providing support to confront these acts.
Al-Hariri also talked about the latest developments in the political process, noting that the process has not yet started as the regime continues to disrupt it. He also said that the Assad regime is avidly seeking to disrupt the Constitutional Committee just like it did with the Geneva negotiations before it.
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the SOC’s rejection of the term “reconciliatory justice” that the UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen used in his latest briefing to the UN Security Council. He said: “This term does not comport with UN resolutions and our demands for transitional justice which is essential for accountability and reparations for the victims in a genuine transitional justice process. This stage will begin after the creation of a neutral environment through transitional governance and the drawing up of new constitution and elections.”
“The international silence continues. The incoming US administration has not yet taken on power,” Al-Hariri said, warning that showing any lenient positions towards Iran will not serve the political solution, combating terrorism, and the restoration of security and stability.
Al-Hariri indicated that the “Assad regime continues to commit crimes and violations in the liberated areas as well as disrupts the political process in order to move towards holding farcical presidential elections that cannot be recognized whatsoever.”
He stressed that economic sanctions against the Assad regime and its backers will remain in place provided that they do not affect ordinary civilians, humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies. He called on other states to besiege the Assad regime and force it to give in to the demands of the Syrian people. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
