Syrian Coalition: Participation in Geneva II Will Be Dependent On the Response of the International Community to Our Basic Demands

Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said that the Coalition’s participation in Geneva II will be dependent on the response of the international community to the basic demands set forth by the Syrian Coalition.” Safi points out that “no one can provide real guarantees for the success of Geneva II,” adding that “the only guarantees that may ensure the success of this conference is the ability of both sides to reach the proposed goals during the negotiations.” Furthermore, Safi stresses that “there must be a timetable for the negotiations, as this cannot be an open-ended process.” When asked about the Coalition’s participation in the Friends of Syria meeting scheduled for tomorrow, Safi said that this meeting aims to assess the commitment of the parties involved in the transitional process to put an end the tyrannical rule of the Assad regime. It also aims to gauge the commitment and the seriousness of the international community to bring about a political solution. We also seek to evaluate the positions of the countries that support the Syrian people and to probe their political attitudes.” Moreover, Safi echoed that the UN Secretary General statement that the objective of the conference is the formation of a transitional ruling body with full powers. “The invitations sent by the UN purportedly convey a very clear message, that the formation of this body is one of the top priorities of Geneva II. This undoubtedly indicates that the approval of any country to attend conference including the Assad regime, means they agree to the formation of a transitional governing body.” Safi stresses that “opening humanitarian corridors, the release of detainees, lifting the siege on Syrian cities,” are among the demands that the Syrian Coalition is going to present during the meeting with Friends of Syria Group. Safi concluded his statement saying that “Iran cannot attend the conference if it does not withdraw their militias from Syria and acknowledge all the terms of Geneva I.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)