Member of the Syrian Coalition Abdul Ahad Steifo said that a political solution must be achieved only through the Geneva process, adding that the Astana track must remain committed to its original tasks, namely arrangement and consolidation of cease-fire and tackling humanitarian issues.
Steifo pointed out that negotiations in Geneva are based on international resolutions, which gives any potential outcome international legitimacy.
Steifo, who is also member of the opposition’s High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said that results of the sixth round of talks were not satisfactory as they did not answer questions about the timing of the round and the fact that it was short. These results did not compel the Assad regime to change its policies as it continued to procrastinate and show lack of seriousness.
The proposal by the international envoy to Syria Staffqan de Misura for the consultative mechanism to discuss the constitution was impromptu and unclear and diverted attention away from the political process, Steifo said.
On the Russian role in the negotiations, Stiefo explained that Moscow has gone far in its support for the Assad regime and in its alliance with Iran, pointing out that the Iranian militias played a major role in the spread of terrorism in the region.
Stiefo stressed that Russia must reconsider its alliances and policies, noting that Moscow may be benefitting from playing the Syrian card today, but that will not be the case in the future. (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
