President al-Jarba Addresses the Syrian People at the End of First Round of Negotiations

Press Statement

Khalid Saleh

Syrian Coalition Media Office President

Istanbul, Turkey

February 01, 2014

President Ahmad al-Jarba gave a speech today in which he talked about the results of the first round of negotiations in Geneva. President al-Jarba reiterated that the Coalition’s delegation achieved what it had in mind in going to Geneva. The Coalition’s delegation managed to expose the Assad regime and its representatives in their lack of serious commitment to the negotiation process. Instead of demonstrating goodwill and cooperation, the regime held off on opening a safe corridor to deliver aid into the besieged area of Old Homs.

President al-Jarba also made it clear that the Assad regime facilitated the entry of terrorists into Syria, and sought the backing of sectarian militias from Iraq and Lebanon. President al-Jarba also mentioned meeting representatives of a regime which had no hesitation in using chemical weapons against its own people; a regime that spared no part of Syria from the horror of death and destruction. He described how the regime turned into a puppet of the mullahs of Teheran just to remain on a throne made of the very skeletons of the Syrian people.

Reiterating the commitment of the Coalition to come back to Geneva, President al-Jarba stressed the fact that the world has become more convinced of our uprising after we have sought the political track and exposed the regime for its shameful nature. The closing session of the first round was held this morning and each party summarized its views which had been expressed over the past week. The special envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, highlighted that the conference aims at finding a political solution through the establishment of a transitional governing body to lead the transition in Syria in a way that provides security and stability.

There is no doubt that this round of negotiations has exposed the true nature of regime before the international community. It demonstrated to the world how the regime is ready to shed Syrian blood just to cling to power. We, in the Syrian Coalition, reaffirm that the battle is ongoing, and although it is a difficult one, we are resolute and determined to achieve victory. We have a righteous and noble cause, and victory will be ours on the battlefield and in the political arena.

We ask for Mercy for our martyrs, health for our wounded, and freedom for our detainees.

Long live Syria and its people, free and with honor.