Syrian Coalition: Political Solution Impossible Without Assad’s Departure

Ahmad Jarba, head of the Syrian Coalition, stressed that “a political solution cannot be achieved with Assad remaining in power, as he is the main obstacle to the aspirations of the Syrian people,” during a meeting with French Foreign Minister in Paris. Both officials discussed the situation on all battlefronts in Syria, especially the remarkable progress achieved by the FSA and other opposition factions against regime forces and ISIS militias, who Jarba described as “an integral part of the terrorist Assad regime.” The meeting comes ahead of the Friends of Syria meeting, which began today and was attended by officials from 11 countries to discuss the course of the Syrian revolution and the methods that may bring about a solution to the Syrian crisis. Louay Safi, spokesman for the Syrian Coalition, said earlier 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 to the tyrannical rule of the Assad regime, and 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 the political attitudes.” Moreover, Safi echoed that the UN Secreteray 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 conveys a very clear message, that the formation of this body is one of the top priorities of Geneva II. This is undoubtedly indicates that the approval of any country to attend the conference, including the Assad regime, means they agree to the formation of a transitional governing body with full powers.” 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)