President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SIC) Nasr Al-Hariri, held a virtual meeting with the UK Special Representative for Syria, Martin Longden, and discussed with him the latest on the ground and political developments in Syria, especially the SOC’s and Syrian Interim Government’s efforts to confront the coronavirus in the liberated areas. In attendance was Coordinator of the SOC’s Department of Foreign Relations, Abdulahad Asteipho.
Al-Hariri talked about the repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement in Idlib province by the Assad regime and Russian forces, pointing out that these violations are preventing the return of the displaced people to their homes.
He added that overcrowding in the IDP constitutes a real concern and serous risk in the event of coronavirus outbreak, calling for exerting pressure on the Assad regime and Russia to abide by the ceasefire agreement in northwestern Syria.
Al-Hariri highlighted the situation in the three provinces east of the Euphrates, making it clear that the SOC includes the Kurds as an essential component. He stressed that the intra-Kurdish dialogue is useless as long as the existence of the PKK terrorist organization in the region is not radically addressed.
The two sides discussed the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Somalia as well as the issue of Syrian asylum seekers who have been recently deported from Britain to Spain. They also discussed the dire conditions inside the Rukban refugee camp as al-Hariri urged the British government to step up support for the Syrian refugees.
The two sides also discussed the latest report of the UN Commission of Inquiry as al-Hariri stressed that the SOC and Syrian Interim Government are continuing to investigate the cases mentioned in the Commission’s report. He pointed out that a number of individuals have been referred to the competent courts while cases are being investigated.
The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the political process and the results of the latest round of talks by the Constitutional Committee. Al-Hariri indicated that the Assad regime is still refusing to seriously engage in the political and constitutional processes, adding that the delegation of the Syrian Negotiations Commission continues to put forward proposals for the constitutional process..
Al-Hariri called on the British envoy to convey the SOC’s desire to appoint a representative in the United Kingdom to strengthen communication and follow up on common issues.
Longden reaffirmed his country’s support for the efforts to hold the Assad regime accountable for crimes against the Syrian people. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
