President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr al-Hariri, held a conversation with Syrian journalists and activists which focused on the challenges facing the Syrian revolution and the SOC’s plan of action in the next stage.
Al-Hariri pointed out that the Syrian revolution is going through a unprecedentedly critical juncture at the internal, regional and international levels. He expressed his hope for opening a new chapter in Syria’s history after the Assad regime has fallen and a transition to a pluralistic, democratic state that is based on the rule of law has been put in place.
Al-Hariri pointed out that when the revolution started, the Syrian people attracted the world’s attention to Syria. He stressed that the main driver of the Syrian revolution is the Syrians themselves, and said: “The revolution is being kept alive by its people and the insistence of the revolutionaries to achieve their demands for freedom and dignity despite all the odds.”
Moreover, he stressed that the SOC is working to consolidate its presence in the liberated areas and improve the performance of its various institutions, especially the Syrian Interim Government and the Assistance Coordination Unit.
The SOC will seek to build balanced, stable relationships with all states at the regional and international levels, he said, adding: “We seek a good relationship with the Arab brothers that will restore the friendly, longstanding relationships.”
He emphasized the good relationship with Turkey, which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees, adding that Turkey has always been on the side of the Syrian people and their aspirations.
Al-Hariri stressed the importance of the relationships with the states that believe in the cause of the Syrian people and their aspiration to regain their freedom and dignity, stressing the need to commit to the principles of those relations, especially the independent decision and the supreme interest of the Syrian people.
Al-Hariri indicated that the SOC is working to review its performance, strengthen its relationship with the Syrian people everywhere, and review the files it supervises locally and internationally.
He said that what is happening on the UN Security Council will stigmatize the international community, adding that Russia has used the veto 16 times in favor of the Assad regime. The latest of these vetoes was not cast to shield the regime from punishment for the use of chemical weapons against civilians, but to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching those in need.
Russia demands the introduction of aid through the regime-held border crossings, the very regime that caused the suffering, killing and displacement of Syrians. He called on friendly and sisterly states to find a mechanism to provide humanitarian aid outside the international system that has become “paralyzed” and has become a source of civilian suffering and not a means of solution.
Al-Hariri also spoke about the political process as he stressed support for the Syrian Negotiations Commission and the Syrian Constitutional Committee. He also stressed the need to reach a political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254.
He also said that the Assad regime is still counting on a bloody military solution with the support of Russia and Iran who are seeking military escalation and obstructing the political process. He made it clear that the regime has not yet agreed to UN resolution 2254 which received international approval for the solution in Syria. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
