Press Release "Original in Arabic"

Syrian Coalition

June 15, 2015

The Syrian Coalition’s General Assembly discussed a set of files at its 22nd meeting held in Istanbul on June 12th, 13th and 14th. First file for discussion was political developments, especially the change in international political climates seeing a new push for reaching a political solution in Syria. The General Assembly also discussed the Syrian Coalition’s meetings with the international envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, in Geneva and Istanbul during which the Syrian Coalition presented its vision for the implementation of the Geneva statement and the formation of a transitional governing body. The conferees also discussed the Political Committee’s meeting with the EU ambassadors.

The General Assembly reviewed a report submitted by the FSA’s deputy Chief of Staff and a number of rebel leaders on the field developments and the recent strategic rebel gains against regime forces on all fronts in Syria.

A detailed report on the Syrian Coalition’s visit to the city of Idlib was also submitted during the meeting. The visit was done by a delegation that included President of the Supreme Council for Local Administration Jalaluddin Khanji, head of the Health Committee Jawad Abu Hatab and director of the intermediate institutes in the Interim Ministry of Education. The conferees discussed the importance of the success of civil administration in Idlib, highlighting its features and reviewing guidelines of good local governance.

The meeting also touched on the file of education in Idlib, and a road map was discussed and approved to resume education in the province after reaching a common vision with the administrative and educational personnel operating in the city.

The General Assembly discussed a draft of the Syrian Coalition’s financial regulations while a specialized committee was assigned to prepare a final draft of these regulations to be presented to the General Assembly for approval before the next meeting.

The General Assembly decided to form a new FSA Supreme Military Command (SMC) in accordance with Article 31 of the Syrian Coalition’s bylaws. The new SMC is expected to incorporate the rebel factions currently active on the ground. A decision was made to form a committee to work on the formation of the new leadership depending on standards that have already been agreed upon. Moreover, the General Assembly decided to freeze the FSA Supreme Military Council. A maximum period of one month was set for the committee to form the new FSA leadership. This committee will include representatives of all the Syrian Coalition blocks who are to be nominated within one week of the decision.

The General Assembly also decided to dismiss Walid al-Omari from the Syrian Coalition by 95 votes out of 107 for violating the basic rules of the General Assembly meetings and the rules governing the work of the Syrian Coalition and for behavior unworthy of a representative in the Syrian revolution.

The General Assembly also decided to postpone the next session of its meetings to July 30, 2015, and agreed that the presidential and political bodies continue to function with full powers.

Long live Syria, free and with honor.