The Syrian National Coalition signed today an agreement with the FSA’s Supreme Military Council (SMC) aimed at unifying the FSA factions under one umbrella and a central command structure.
The SMC has recognized the Syrian National Coalition’s bylaws, including Article 31, provided they do not conflict with its own bi-laws.
Nasr al-Hariri, the secretary general of the Coalition who presided over the meeting with heads of the military councils, hailed the agreement, stressing that Syria’s national interests require the unification of the FSA factions and the creation of a unified command structure.
“Any delay in taking these steps would leave the FSA factions with no other choice but joining other militant factions whose ideologies are extremely inconsistent with the goals of the Syrian revolution," he said.
"Failing to achieve this goal would prevent us from finding a way for other leaderships capable of safeguarding the principles of the revolution,” Hariri said.
Ahmed Toumeh, the opposition Interim Prime Minister, who also attended the meeting, stressed the importance of overcoming the difficulties and obstacles that impede the progress of the FSA, pointing to the need to create a unified military command that can gain the confidence of supporting countries.
Hariri called for “carefully setting the goals and tactical plans that lead to victory that will be achieved only when we put aside our differences and correct the mistakes of the past."
"The failure to unite in the battle against the Assad regime and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) means a betrayal of the blood of the fallen heroes and of the goals of the revolution. The revolution is now going through its most crucial stage, and its course can only be set by the FSA which has proved itself as the sole force capable of defeating Assad and the terrorist groups," he said.
"The Syrian revolution has laid bare the ineffectiveness of the international community’s efforts in dealing with the Syrian conflict as it is still insistent on excluding the Iranian and Hezbollah militias from the list of terrorist groups."
"With the start of the international airstrikes against ISIS, we have sent a very clear warning that the Assad regime would considerably benefit from these airstrikes if the FSA does not receive the support it needs to take on ISIS positions that will be targeted by these strikes," Hariri said in conclusion.
"The international anti-ISIS coalition needs to offer a viable alternative for the youth who are joining ISIS as they would not have done so had it not been for the lack of support given to the moderate rebel factions."
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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