President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem al-Meslet, delivered a speech at the opening of the meeting of the General Assembly of the Syrian Tribal Council which took place in the Turkish city of Gaziantep on Wednesday. He stressed the importance of strengthening real partnership between the institutions of the Syrian Revolution and unifying the efforts to achieve the demands of the Syrian people for freedom, dignity and democracy.
Participants in the opening session included SOC’s Vice-President Abdulahad Asteiphou and Ruba Habboush, Secretary-General Haitham Rahma, Head of the Syrian Interim Government Abdurrahman Mustafa, members of the SOC’s and the Syrian Negotiations Commission.
Al-Meslet pointed out that the disorganized efforts and lack of coordination has cost the revolution many opportunities. He called for restoring the initiative, rekindling of efforts, and re-centralizing the Syrian revolution through a truly national action that is based on one hand, one destination, one vision, and one word.
Al-Meslet stressed that the fruits of this action will be “the one Syria” that does not accept division, and a unified people who are making tremendous sacrifices and giving lessons in patience, determination and strong will. He pointed out that the Syrian people do not accept less than their full rights, nor do they accept anything less than their full freedom and dignity and their liberation from tyranny and terrorism, and build a state where democracy prevails, and where human dignity and rights are preserved.
Moreover, Al-Meslet said that we must have the courage to take tough decisions, make our cause an inclusive one and extend our hands to every free person in this world. He called on everyone to spare no effort to unite the forces and efforts so that we are one hand clinging to what is right in order to achieve this vision.
He stressed that the terrorist regimes starve their people and finance terrorism outside their territories. However, the Assad regime humiliates and starves its people and funds terrorism to kill this people, he said, adding that the Assad regime has been unable to suppress peaceful demonstrations although it faced the unarmed protestors with every weapon at its disposal and unleased militias and mercenaries to suppress them for a whole decade.
He cited Dara’a, the cradle of the revolution, as an example of the heroic resistance as the city is once again repeating the early slogan of the revolution: we prefer death to humiliation. He said that Dara’a youth are resisting with their will and determination for freedom, dignity and steadfastness, armed with values and principles for which the Syrians revolted. He said that they will not back down until these goals and demands are achieved.
Furthermore, al-Meslet highlighted the conditions of Syrians in the regime’s areas, stressing the regime’s failure to meet their most basic needs such as food, water and electricity. He added that Syria today is at the bottom of the global list in terms of freedoms and security and has become the most dangerous place to live due to the regime’s criminality on the one hand and its inability to meet the basic necessities of life for the people.
He stressed that the Dara’a today is a top priority, noting that the SOC is communicating with international parties to ensure that the people of Dara’a can stay in their homes.
Al-Meslet indicated that the SOC is also doing everything possible to stop the regime’s escalation in Al-Zawiya Mountain region. The SOC is talking with all parties to urge them to assume their responsibilities with regards to the recent developments. It is also putting all the resources of SIG and the Syrian National Army to confront this grave escalation, and confront the cowardly, treacherous terrorist cells that target innocent civilians.
Al-Meslet also stressed that the Syrian tribes have been and will remain a pillar of preserving the Syrian social fabric and steadfastness in the face of challenges. He addressed these tribes: “The future of Syria needs you, and Syria needs you, united behind the demands and rights of the Syrian people.
Al-Meslet thanked the Council as it praised the efforts of its members and their continued support for the revolution against tyranny and occupation.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
