The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi al-Bahra, held a virtual meeting last Friday with officials from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), headed by Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman. Coleman oversees USAID’s policies and programs and supervises its regional offices and operational pillars. The meeting was also attended by Gail Schwartz, USAID’s Economic Policy Advisor.
The discussion focused on the evolving situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, ongoing preparations for achieving a political transition, humanitarian needs, and early recovery projects.
Representing the SOC at the meeting were Vice President Dima Moussa and political committee members Abdulahad Astepho and Anas Abdah.
Hadi al-Bahra highlighted that the fall of the regime and the liberation of detainees had uncovered harrowing scenes of systematic torture, neglect of prisoners, the detention of women and children, and mass graves of those who were tortured to death. He emphasized the urgent need for justice and accountability for these atrocities.
Al-Bahra explained that the opposition military groups had secured the safety of essential infrastructure, including water and power stations and banks, while ensuring the continuity of public services by reinstating government employees to their roles. These efforts prevented any disruption in services to citizens.
He stressed the importance of adhering to UN Security Council Resolution 2254 as the basis for any political transition. With the fall of the regime, implementing the resolution is now unimpeded, as it is no longer tied to the former regime. This includes forming an inclusive and credible transitional government free of sectarianism, drafting a new constitution, holding a public referendum on it, and conducting free and fair elections under UN and civil society monitoring.
Al-Bahra also underscored the need for international aid to be distributed impartially, with a significant portion directed toward early recovery projects to strengthen local productive capacities.
USAID officials expressed the importance of supporting the Syrian people in achieving their aspirations for freedom, justice, and democratic transformation. They emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to promote stability, social peace, humanitarian aid, and assistance for early recovery programs in Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
Keywords: Political Transition, Transitional Governing Body
