The unified Syrian opposition, Europe breathes (maj)
(BRUSSELS2) The formation of a united front of Syrian opponents (Syrian National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces) was welcomed by Europeans with some pleasure. "The European Union has continuously called on the Syrian opposition to form an inclusive and representative common platformrecalled the High Representative of the European Union, Catherine Ashton. Sheikh Mouaz Al-Khatib, the new president of this Syrian coalition " is recognized as a true national figure, committed to a new Syria, which will include all components of Syrian society she said. Before adding,I look forward to seeing this new coalition become fully functional and inclusive, subscribing to the principles of human rights and democracy.».
Three charismatic figures
The new coalition front claims to represent 90% of the Syrian opposition, including armed groups scattered across the country. Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib is an imam from Damascus, ex-engineer and who opposed the Assad regime from the first days of demonstrations. Arrested several times since March 2011, he has earned a reputation as an open man of faith. At his side we also find Riad Seif, a businessman and political dissident (independent parliamentarian from 1994 to 2001) and Souhair Al-Atassi, a human rights activist who has been lobbying Western countries from Paris for a year already.
As for the Syrian National Council (CNS), it brought Georges Sabra to its head, whom the readers of this blog already know when we met him at the Press Club Brussels Europe (see also: “Help us get rid of this regime” (Sabra). The CNS asks for weapons).
Objective: diplomatic reconnaissance and arms deliveries
The objective now for the coalition is first to obtain diplomatic recognition as well as arms supplies. In particular, she hopes to receive official recognition from Western countries during the meeting of friends of Syria in December in Marrakech.
The Europeans do not seem on the same wavelength on the first aspect. William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary, has already estimated that it was still a bit early to officially recognize the coalition, even if he welcomed its formation. While his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius, present in Cairo, called for recognition of the new formation. (update) A position officially confirmed a little later in Paris by President François Hollande, recognizing the coalition as the " sole representative of the Syrian people » and prefiguring a « temporary government ».
On the side of the European Union, it is estimated that " the European Union cannot position itself, the recognition is the responsibility of the Member States. - as a European diplomat told B2.
As for the delivery of arms, despite the hopes of the opposition that this subject will be discussed at the London meeting on Friday (November 16), British diplomats - underlines the daily The Guardian - prefer that this subject not be discussed in this meeting which has another objective.
