Walid Jumblatt, head of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party, stresses that “there is no solution with Assad in power,” during a meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister. He added that “anyone who claims to know what is going to happen in Syria errs, and lacks understanding of the consequences. There is a regional, global struggle in Syria, and if the war continues this way, a real danger threatens the future of Syria as a united entity. Even now, this unity is under dire threat.” It is worth noting that the Syrian Coalition stated that the goal of any UN initiative to solve the Syrian conflict should guarantee the right of the Syrian people to self-determination, to choose their political system, to preserve the unity of Syria and to reject any foreign intervention, especially Iran’s military and political intervention. “Any political process must be based on the Security Council resolutions, including resolutions No. 2118, 2165, 2170, the Geneva I protocols, and the clauses related to the establishment of a transitional governing body with full powers, and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The starting points for Mistura’s plan must include the establishment of protected safe zones, a no-fly zone north of latitude 35, and south of latitude 33, and in the Qalamoun region, and taking tangible measures to expel the terrorist foreign militias imported by the Assad regime. The plan must also ensure the delivery of relief aid to the areas under siege, the prevention of the Assad regime from using civilians as hostages in exchange for political gains, the release of detainees and the disclosure of Assad’s secret prisons.” Moreover, the statement stresses that the proposed local ceasefires in some areas must be based on the Geneva protocols and the UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2165.” The Syrian Coalition, as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people, confirms it is open to any efforts aimed at helping the Syrian people get rid of tyranny, stressing that it is the only party mandated to respond to the UN initiatives that should not affect the unity of the Syrian opposition, rehabilitate the Assad regime or its head, or fuel fears of a taking Syria toward fragmentation and division. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
