Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
March 22, 2021
It is with deep shock and concern that the Syrian people received the news of the visit by the Assad regime’s foreign minister to the Sultanate of Oman.
Receiving a representative of a regime that destroyed Syrian cities and towns; killed about a million people; and displaced millions more over the past ten years – let alone its endless litany of war crimes, crimes against humanity and the use of chemical weapons – represents a shocking, regrettable move by our brothers in the Sultanate of Oman.
The hands of the Assad regime are stained with the blood of millions of Syrians and thousands of Arabs. This regrettable move, therefore, represents a departure from the Arab, international and humanitarian positions as it gives the Assad regime an opportunity to rehabilitate itself before the international community.
However, such move will certainly remain a one-off as whoever extends his hand to the Assad regime will quickly realize the dangers of being associated with the regime and of being drawn to its quagmire.
The Syrian people are looking forward to Arab positions that support their aspirations in line with UN resolutions and pave the way for a political transition as key to restoring stability to Syria and the region.