Media Statement

Syrian Coalition Media Office

Istanbul, Turkey

May 8, 2013

Syrian Coalition Condemns Statements of Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akber Salahi

The Syrian Coalition condemns recent statements by Iranian officials, which do not reflect Iranian political or military realities. Iran has stood by the Assad regime in its quest to maintain a totalitarian oppressive rule, and did not stand by the Syrian people in their righteous struggle for freedom and human rights. Furthermore, the Iranian government not only stood by Assad, but provided him with arms and advanced weaponry, as well as strategic expertise to suppress the will of the people.

The Syrian Coalition outlined the determinants for a political solution on February 15, 2013, which clearly state that any peaceful solution requires the immediate removal of Bashar Al-Assad and the heads of his security apparatus; any solution that does not includes these elements is rejected at the political level and by the people of Syria.

Those who truly stand with the legitimate demands of the people, do not ignore the basic requirement of removing the current authoritarian regime and establishing the transition to a democratic civil state. This civil state will guarantee freedoms, such as the freedom of religious beliefs, and the protection of places of worship.

The Assad regime has committed heinous, inhumane massacres, and only those who have stood idly by or were somehow involved, could possibly justify turning a blind eye and allowing these crimes to continue.

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.