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Riad Seif: Reforming National Coalition Is Priority | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Syrian dissident Riad Seif attends a meeting of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, formed after the Syrian National Council (SNC) agreed to the new group, in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. Seif and Suheir Atassi were elected vice presidents of the coalition. (AP Photo/Osama Faisal)


Istanbul- Head of Syrian National Coalition Riad Seif said that reforming the coalition is a priority to him as a newly-elected president, noting that the Syrian National Coalition represents the Syrian opposition.

“My next plan is to direct the coalition back to its original role – On November 11 2012, it was formed to represent the leadership of the Syrian people in the liberated regions (from the regime), to mobilize all potentials to oust the regime and to provide the services and needs of Syrians in these regions,” Seif said during an interview with Anadolu Agency.

He mentioned that “five days after the establishment of the coalition, friends of the Syrian people met in London and pledged to empower the coalition to play its essential role.”

Speaking of mechanisms he is willing to adopt, Seif said that “reform begins with the membership and structural aspects, as there has been a difficulty in accepting new members and canceling membership of those who have presented nothing to the coalition. For this, a mechanism must be put after these elections to restructure the coalition.”

He added that the statute was an obstacle at many towns, hindering some reforms, in addition to task distribution and the system of accounting and monitoring. Seif pointed out that “one month ago, a committee was established and it established good ties with factions. Therefore, the coalition gained respect and appreciation from other parties, especially international ones.”

“It is normal to form two divisions: a political and military. This is the case now in the High Negotiations Committee (HNC)… The coalition will put a program for the coming year to be on good terms with main factions,” he added.

Commenting on the fate of head of Syrian regime Bashar Assad, Seif said that there is a consensus among opposition forces that Assad has no place in any transitional period.