Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), stressed the importance of the United States’ role in reaching a political solution in Syria in accordance with UN Resolution 2254. He pointed out that achieving a political solution is essential for resolving all the humanitarian crises Syria is currently facing.
Al-Bahra made these remarks during a consultative meeting held in the Turkish capital, Ankara, between the Syrian Negotiations Commission and a high-level delegation from the U.S. State Department. During the meeting, views were exchanged on the political solution and the necessity of finding mandatory mechanisms to enforce UN resolutions in Syria.
Also attending the meeting were the President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission, Badr Jamous; the head of the Syrian Interim Government, Abdulrahman Mustafa; as well as Safwan Akkash, Secretary of the Syrian Negotiations Commission; and members Ibrahim Birro and Hanadi Abu Arab.
From the American side, the meeting was attended by Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs; Natasha Franceschi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department; and Nicholas Granger, Director of the Syrian Regional Platform at the U.S. State Department.
During the meeting, Bahra emphasized Washington’s crucial role in revitalizing the political process in Syria and enforcing a political transition in accordance with UN Resolution 2254. He highlighted the need to meet the needs of Syrians amid the ongoing severe humanitarian crisis, aggravated by a reduction in humanitarian aid and the low fulfillment rate of international pledges.
Bahra also stressed that the root of Syria’s humanitarian crises is political and that the only sustainable solution is one based on the implementation of relevant UN resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015.
For her part, Barbara Leaf reaffirmed her country’s support for fulfilling the aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive Syrian solution in line with Resolution 2254. Both parties emphasized the importance of continuing further meetings to bring more attention to Syria and address obstacles facing the political process.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
