A delegation from the Syrian Coalition headed by Abdurrahman Mustafa held several meetings with ambassadors and international officials in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday. The meetings discussed the Idlib Agreement and the role that the international community should play in developing it to establish a nationwide ceasefire and reinvigorate the political process leading to the realization of the Syrian people’s demands for freedom and dignity.
The Coalition’s delegation met with ambassadors of the European Union countries to Ankara, ambassadors of the friendly countries, including the United States, the European Union Ambassador Christian Berger and his political team, and Erdem Ozan of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The Coalition’s delegation included Coordinator of the Department of Foreign Relations Abdul Ahad Steifo, official spokesman Anas Al-Abdah, and member of the General Assembly Basma Mohammed.
President Mustafa said that a Coalition delegation toured the buffer zone in Idlib stressed that the Idlib agreement has averted a tragedy that would have been resulted from a possible attack by the Assad regime and its allies on the province. He stressed that the agreement also prevented a new large wave of refugees to the European countries.
Moreover, President Mustafa urged support for the Syrian Interim Government and the local councils to consolidate the civil administration in the region as it would contribute to the dissolving of terrorist groups and the reduction of their influence. He added: “Addressing the issue of terrorism is the responsibility of the international community. Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the defeat of terror at all levels, including through the provision of support for the civilian population and improving their living conditions to keep them away from extremism.”
President Mustafa cited the recent revival of the civil movement in northern Syria as one of the positive results of the Idlib agreement, calling for international support for the agreement.
He pointed out that the Idlib agreement is not temporary as is being claimed by the regime because it is linked to the success of the political process. He also called for contributing to develop the agreement and establish a nationwide cease-fire.
Furthermore, President Mustafa underscored the need to reinvigorate the political process and exert pressure on the regime to force it to seriously engage in the political process. He called on the European Union to put greater pressure on Iran, stressing that “reconstruction does not mean stability but is linked to the elimination of terrorist militias and holding those involved in war crimes to account.
President Mustafa also stressed that the Syrian Coalition and the Free Syrian Army groups still have concerns about the Assad regime and its allies. “There is no confidence. Past experience showed how the Assad regime reneged all previous agreements. Our fighters are ready on the battlefronts to defend themselves and civilians.” (Source: Syrian Coalition’s Media Department)
