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International community hails Syrian National Council

Global Arab Network - - Ayman Khalil

Thursday, 13 October 2011 01:44

Global Arab Network - Western nations are not doing enough to pressure Russia into changing its stance on Syria and must do more to support the burgeoning opposition, the figurehead for the Syrian National Council (SNC) said.

Paris-based Burhan Ghalioun, considered the group's de facto leader, told France 24 television the newly formed SNC hoped to get recognition from European countries once its structure is in place.

The European Union has welcomed the creation of the Syrian council and urged other countries to do the same, but stopped short of any call to recognize the body which is seeking international support for a six-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

France, the first Western country to recognize Libya's opposition, has been championing the cause of pro-democracy protesters in Syria, leading calls for a U.N. Security Council resolution to condemn the government's bloody crackdown on them.

In a symbolic display of support, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe met Ghalioun in Paris earlier this week.

"Juppe's gesture was significant," Ghalioun said. "The French will consult the other Europeans and we hope to have recognition from European countries later, but let's wait a few days, weeks," he said.

Ghalioun, an intellectual and political sociologist based at the Sorbonne university, was thrust into the limelight this year when peaceful protests against Assad's government turned violent and demonstrators looked for somebody to help galvanize various strands of the opposition.

The 66-year old said the West could be more "aggressive" in its approach to Russia, which has refused to join international condemnation of Syria's long crackdown on protesters and used its veto along with China to reject a draft U.N. resolution.

He also called for a conference bringing together the main stakeholders in the Syrian conflict.

"I think the European Union and Western countries have not done everything politically to convince Russia and other reticent countries," Ghalioun said. "I don't think there are strong enough positions and actions."

UK Minister meets Syrian National Council members

UK Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt met Syrian National Council members in Paris as part of the Foreign Office's engagement with members of the Syrian opposition.

Following his meeting with Dr Burhan Ghalioun, Basma Kadmani and Nibras el-Fadel the Minister for the Middle East said:

“The establishment of the Syrian National Council marked a positive step in bringing together a broad range of Syrian opposition representatives. I was therefore pleased to meet SNC members Dr Burhan Ghalioun, Basma Kadmani and Nibras el-Fadel today. Dr Ghalioun set out the importance of establishing a shared vision for the future of Syria and a credible plan of how to move peacefully to an alternative political system. I welcome this, and his belief that any change should be Syrian-led and non-violent. It is crucial for all Syrian groups to be represented in any future opposition body in Syria.

“I call on the Syrian regime which continues to divide communities and brutally repress its citizens to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people who are yearning for reform and democratic change.“

Qatar hails Syrian opposition council

Qatari emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani has hailed as an "important step" the creation of a Syrian opposition front, urging President Bashar al-Assad to talk to them after months of deadly protests.

"The (formation of the) Syrian National Council marks an important step" said the ruler of the energy-rich Gulf state in remarks aired on Wednesday by the Doha-based Al-Jazeera news channel.

"It is in the interest of Syria that the government sits with and reaches an agreement with this council over the nature of a new constitution that would preserve the balance of the Syrian nation," he said.

The United Nations says a relentless campaign to clamp down on anti-regime protests has resulted in more than 2,900 death since March.

"I think that the council enjoys legitimacy among the protesters in Syria," added the emir, who had said in September that the months-long protests would not weaken despite the crackdown.

Syrian dissidents established the "national council" in Turkey on August 23 to coordinate their campaign to topple Assad and last week formally formed a common front uniting all groups that oppose his regime.

On Monday, the European Union welcomed its formation and urged the world to do the same, as it readied new sanctions against Assad's regime.

Global Arab Network

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