The unification of the Syrian opposition following last week’s Riyadh conference puts the international community, and specifically Russia, on the line to prove their seriousness in finding a radical solution to the crisis, former Syrian National Coalition President Dr. Hadi al-Bahra has told al-Hayat.
"The Russian statements questioning the conference raise question marks about its intentions about pushing for a political solution," said Bahra, adding that, "Russia's remarks seek to buy more time for the introduction of parties within the ranks of the opposition closer in their positions to the regime than the opposition. Their aim is to obstruct the political settlement efforts."
"Although the Riyadh conference witnessed the broadest representation of all the opposition spectra, whether internal or external, with the participation of the armed and political opposition, the intentions of Russia seem clear through questioning the level of representation, and claiming that the conference does not represent all the opposition spectra,” he said.
Bahra explained that the General Authority for negotiations is working on naming the negotiating team, with names expected to be announced soon.
"[The Syrian opposition] has done everything required of them, as they agreed on a joint statement and joint determinants, formed a joint body for the negotiations and a unified delegation. Now we expect the international community – especially Russia, which claims that the opposition is fragmented and has no unified position – to demonstrate their seriousness in seeking a political solution for the crisis," Bahra said.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
