Syrian Coalition to Lead Dialogue With National Political Currents

The Syrian Coalition informed Russia that it “would lead the dialogue with all national political trends and civil organizations to exchange views regarding finding a political solution to the conflict.” Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Coalition, said that “Russia has finally realized that the conflict in Syria cannot be solved militarily and that attempts should be made towards brokering a political solution,” during an interview with Russia Today TV channel. Bahra also said that “we called on Russia to be among the countries that support Syrian-Syrian dialogue,” pointing out that “we and all other national political currents share the same vision and sustain the same goals of political transition to democracy and pluralism. We reaffirm that the Syrian Coalition is open to dialogue with all Syrian political currents and blocs that seek to discuss the mechanism of the political transition which is centered on the election of a Constituent Assembly and the rewriting of the Constitution.” Moreover, Bahra stresses “we agreed with the Russians that the Geneva I protocols are the framework and basis of any future negotiations.” He stresses that Russia, Egypt and the UN envoy De Mistura have not yet proposed any written initiatives for a political solution, but they are seeking to revive negotiations and have pledged to support dialogue among Syrians.