EU must declare Assad regime illegitimate, back domestic opposition: Kamal al-Labwani

(BRUSSELS2) It is with the opponents inside Syria that we must work, and not with activists who act from outside and who are not legitimate, according to doctor Kamal al-Labwani. This opponent, arrested and imprisoned twice by the Syrian authorities (2001-2004 and 2005-2011), finally released in November 2011, spoke today in the European Parliament. And he calls on the international community to make the right choice.

The opposition is in Syria, not elsewhere.

What is needed, he says, is "give legality"to the Syrian opposition, saying"illegitimate"Assad's regime and thus send a clear and unequivocal message. This would also encourage army soldiers to desert."I'm not asking you to send soldiers to die in Syria" he declared. And we must not get the wrong interlocutor: we must support the opposition, of course, but, according to Kamal al-Labwani, this opposition is "all the Syrian people", not "representatives“external, which are themselves supported by other countries, such as Qatar for example.

The EU must not choose the wrong interlocutor

The European Union must contact the opponents who are in Syria and who are organized in local councils. You have to go close to them, at the border, and invite them. "We do not organize ourselves into national parties, we do not depend on the state. You must have faith in mainstream society". European and international doubts about the division of the opposition come precisely from the fact that the international community has external representatives as its interlocutor. “The problems come from outside. [...]You trust people who have not been elected ". " If you start with outside activists, you start at the wrong point. "" We will fight the regime says Kamal al-Labwani, insisting on the role that must be played by the Syrians.

Sanctions and the Annan plan cannot work

On the issue of sanctions, Kamal al-Labwani is clear: "they won't work". The regime has the means to circumvent them thanks to its allies, in particular Russia. As for the Annan plan, he respects it, but explains that it is doomed to failure because it requires cooperation and even agreement. of Assad.

The revolution does not stop with the fall of Assad

Afterwards, what is needed is time. Time to continue the revolution, which must not stop when the regime falls. "The revolution begins with the fight against the dictator, but it must continue with real reforms.“And the Syrian to insist on the need for a project for the future. Not only the future of Syria, but of the whole region. "We have to change mentalities, [...] nWe must reform the culture to establish democracy." he explains.