Press Statement

Salem Al Meslet

Spokesperson of the Syrian Coalition

April 03, 2015

Following comments by Tunisia’s Foreign Minister Taieb Bakouch announcing his government’s plans to open a consulate in Syria, Spokesperson of the Syrian Coalition said:

“It is deeply disappointing to see the Tunisian government which came into being after the Tunisian people embarked on a steady journey towards democracy in the wake of the Arab Spring, deciding to reconcile with a butcher set on killing innocent people and crushing their aspirations for freedom and democracy.

“It is also worrying to recently see some countries fall into the trap of thinking they can find a bulwark against extremism in the Assad regime. Restoring diplomatic relations will only embolden Assad and legitimise his daily crimes against innocent civilians; this will play directly into the extremists’ hands and boost their recruiting narrative.

“I urge the Tunisian government to reconsider their decision, as the Syrian people and indeed millions of people across the Arab world, expect the elected representatives of the Tunisian people to be on the side of their fellow Syrians, not on that of a merciless dictator.”