The Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Bin Jassim Al-Thani described the roadmap for a transition to a democratic state the Syrian opposition announced in early September as “comprehensive and clear,” reaffirming support for the Syrian people’s struggle to achieve their aspirations.
Al-Thani, who was speaking during a meeting of foreign ministers of Syria’s friendly countries in New York on Monday, said that the Syrian opposition have been making sincere efforts to bring about a political solution through serious engagement in the political process sponsored by the UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura.
Al-Thani pointed out that the Syrian opposition’s engagement in the political process is based on clearly defined principles and guidelines. He said that the opposition’s vision is comprehensive as it addresses the tiniest technical details of the transitional process, a fact that was attested to by the UN envoy de Mistura.
The Qatari top diplomat stressed that Assad and everyone with blood with their hands must not be part of the future of Syria, adding that the status quo in Syria should come to an end. He warned that Syria is at a crossroads; either it will slide into greater chaos, terror and division, more war crimes and crimes against humanity or it can get out of the crisis through a political transition in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012. He underscored that that any solution must ensure putting an end to the bloodshed and achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Whilst acknowledging the situation in Syria is extremely complex, the Qatari foreign minister said that the Syrian people aspire for a new Syria that is sovereign and united. They also seek to maintain the unity of the Syrian people and their cultural heritage as well as to build a state based on pluralism, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and freedoms, he added. Al Thani pointed out all these principles are included in the Syrian opposition’s vision for solution, adding that all friends of Syria should seek to actualize this vision.
President of the Syrian Coalition Anas Alabdah said that the executive framework for a political solution in Syria the Syrian opposition announced in London on September 7 was based on the fundamental principles and guidelines of the Syrian revolution.
Alabdah stressed that the opposition’s vision for a political solution in Syria is dynamic and open to further improvements that could serve the interests of the Syrian people and achieve their aspirations.
Alabdah reaffirmed commitment to the fundamental principles of the Syrian revolution, namely the territorial integrity of Syria and the unity of its people; the rejection of any role for Bashar al-Assad in the transitional period or in future Syria; and the establishment of a civil, democratic, pluralistic political system where all citizens are equal regardless of their backgrounds. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Jazeera)
