Syrian Coalition to the Russians: Geneva I Principles are the Framework for Any Future Negotiations

A delegation from the Syrian Coalition, headed by President Hadi al-Bahra, met with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister and president Putin’s special envoy to the Middle East. Bahra said that they discussed the current situation in Syria and the need to push for a negotiated political process that achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people. The two sides agreed that Geneva I principles, adopted on June 30, 2012, should form the framework for any future negotiating process for future.” The Syrian Coalition’s delegation informed the Russian delegation about the current efforts to hold dialogue with the representatives of civil society organizations and political parties whose views are consistent with the goals of the revolution. It also pointed out that Russia should push for a political process through convincing the Assad regime of the unfeasibility of pursuing a military solution to the conflict.” The Syrian Coalition’s delegation called on Russia to make up the shortfall in the funding needed to resume the World Food Program’s food aid for Syrian refugees, and to work with the Lebanese Government to put an end to the increasing violations against Syrian refugees in Lebanon in order to prevent an outbreak of violence. Moreover, it stresses the Syrian Coalition’s commitment to the safety and security of Lebanon and the Lebanese people. The Russian delegation stresses it encouragers a Syrian-Syrian, open and unconditional dialogue between Syrian revolutionary political forces as a first step before engaging in negotiating process with the Assad regime. The Syrian Coalition stressed that it is already pursuing this goal without the need for any external pressure “as all Syrians agree on the fundamental principles and objectives of the revolution, which, if achieved, will reflect positively on all Syrians of all stripes.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)