Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
January 14, 2021
The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) General Assembly held its 54th meeting on 12-13 2021.
SOC’s President Nasr Al-Hariri opened the meeting by observing a minute of silence for the fallen heroes of the Syrian revolution as he paid a tribute to the late ambassador to Qatar, Nizar Al-Hiraki, for his contributions to the Syrian revolution, especially during his work as ambassador to the sisterly State of Qatar.
Al-Hariri gave a detailed overview on a set of issues that the SOC had accomplished and worked on in the past two months, as well as on the overall political and on the ground developments, most importantly:
- The latest political developments, most notably the Gulf reconciliation which was highly welcomed by the SOC for its possible positive results on the Arab situation and overcoming the challenges, especially the Iranian role and the dangers it poses to the Arab world and the region. Al-Hariri lauded the firm position of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the Syrian revolution as was laid out in the Al-Ula summit final communique, reiterating the SOC’s keenness to strengthen its relations with the Arab Gulf states and all Arab states.
The course of the Geneva negotiations and the difficulties they are facing, mainly due the Assad regime’s stances with Russian support, and its refusal to discuss the substance of UN resolutions, most importantly the Geneva Communique of 2012, UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the rest of the relevant UN resolutions, and its attempts to gain more time by insisting on discussing issues that have nothing to do with the agenda of the work of the Constitutional Committee. The SOC’s keenness to prepare the required papers regarding the drafting of a new constitution, whether with regard to proposing a comprehensive formula approved by the political committee as the content of the upcoming agenda, or by laying out its vision regarding the national principles of the constitution.
- The SOC reaffirms its commitment to the political process, which cannot be limited to the Constitutional Committee, but must include the rest of baskets, especially the formation of a Transitional Governing Body as a basis for political transition.
- Following up the process of change in the upcoming US administration, and the importance of communicating with this administration in a way that strengthens relations and serve the Syrian revolution. The SOC pays great attention to the sanctions imposed by the US, Great Britain and Germany on the Assad regime, implementing Caesar Act, and the designation of Iranian-backed militias as terrorist organizations, including the Houthi militia.
- Maintaining communications with various Syrian regions, especially the liberated areas, and giving refugees and IDPs due attention, and communicating with humanitarian and international organizations to secure the necessary support to alleviate the suffering of our people in the harsh winter season. In this regard, the SOC would like to thank Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for the sustained humanitarian support.
- The SOC and Syrian Interim Government have significantly contributed to the efforts to confront the coronavirus pandemic, especially the provision of testing equipment, increasing the number of hospital beds, and communicating with the World Health Organization and the rest of specialized international institutions to secure the necessary needs, including vaccines.
- Al-Hariri gave an overview on the decisions taken in the past two months with regard to the SOC’s offices in rural Aleppo. He emphasized the decision to reverse the decision to establish the Commission for National Elections.
The SOC’s vice-presidents, secretary general, and coordinators of departments and committees submitted reports on their work in the past two months, which were discussed by the General Assembly.
Participants in the General Assembly meeting also included Head of the Syrian Interim Government Abdurrahman Mustafa and SIG’s ministers. Mustafa gave a brief report on the various activities SIG is carrying out in the liberated areas despite the limited resources. SIG’s ministers also submitted detailed reports on their work as they answered questions by members of the General Assembly. Mustafa and SIG’s ministers reaffirmed that SIG is the SOC’s executive arm and an integral part of it, stressing the importance of integration and cooperation to enable SIG to carry out its vital role, tasks and duties.
President of the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC), Anas Abdah, gave a detailed overview on the course of the political process and the obstacles it is facing as a result of the Assad regime’s intransigence on the one hand, and the international failure to hold the regime responsible for disrupting the process. He reaffirmed the SNC’s commitment to the essence of international resolutions, namely the political transition, stressing that this is not limited to the “basket of the constitutional committee” as negotiations must include the rest of baskets, especially those related to the formation of a TGB that represents the real launch of the political transition process. Abdah also reaffirmed everyone’s keenness on the unity of SNC and its components, enhancing its role, and addressing differences through dialogue.
Assistance Coordination Unit and Syria Recovery Trust Fund also submitted detailed reports on the projects they have completed and those in progress. It was agreed to announce these works in the media.
The meeting concluded by greeting the Syrian people in various regions who are enduring, in addition to the coronavirus pandemic and its impact, intense suffering, especially in the regime-held areas, Idlib and east of the Euphrates. The SOC commended the Syrian people’s resilience and the forms of popular resistance as it reaffirms commitment to the goals of the revolution until victory.
May our wounded recover, our detainees be free, and our fallen heroes rest in peace.
May the revolution emerge victorious.
