Syrian Coalition to Request Anti-aircraft Weapons During a Visit to Paris

A delegation from the Syrian Coalition headed by Ahmed Jarba arrived to Paris to meet with French President Francois Hollande. The visit comes as part of the Coalition’s attempt to persuade the West to provide Syrian rebels with anti-aircraft weapons to neutralize the air force of the Assad regime. Observers believe that the visit to Paris carries high hopes for the Syrian Coalition to persuade the Friends of the Syrian people to fulfil their promises to support the Syrian people’s revolution against the despotic regime of Bashar al-Assad. It is also expected that Paris would upgrade the status of the Syrian Coalition to a diplomatic mission along the lines of the American and British decisions in this regard.” The importance of this visit is that it coincides with a French draft UN resolution to refer Syria’s case to the International Criminal Court. Diplomatic sources said that French draft resolution has to be approved by 10 votes in order to pass, provided that Russia and China do not block the move as they previously did. Munther Makhos, ambassador pf the Syrian Coalition to Paris, said earlier that the “war crimes and crimes against humanity has become a daily reality in Syria, as Assad’s forces continue to target schools and hospitals in the rebellious towns and cities in violation of all international norms. Moreover, Assad’s announcement that he would seek re-election contradicts with Geneva I declaration, which calls for the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers. (Source: Syrian Coalition)