Syrian opposition members asked to unite by Turkey, Arab League

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby have called on the fragmented Syrian opposition to unite, during a meeting in Cairo on Monday to discuss a new international plan for a transitional government.

Davutoğlu and Elaraby addressed nearly 250 members of the Syrian opposition at the meeting in an effort to get disparate groups to pull together. It is the first time the Arab League has hosted a meeting of the Syrian opposition. As well as Davutoğlu and Elaraby, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, Egyptian Foreign Minister Muhammed Kamel Amr and a representative from Qatar and UN attended the meeting. There was broad participation by the Syrian opposition at the meeting.

The Syrian opposition has said that the Cairo meeting was the most important meeting in gathering all sections of the opposition together for a common goal. The meeting is considered an important one for discussing the options for a transitional government.

Delivering the opening speech, Elaraby stated that he wished for a new era to begin in Syria, adding the goal was to establish a democratic, free and honorable Syria.

“There is an opportunity before the conference of Syrian opposition today that must be seized, and I say and repeat that this opportunity must not be wasted under any circumstance,” Elaraby said. “The sacrifices of the Syrian people are bigger than us and more valuable than any narrow differences or factional disputes.”

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that the Syrian opposition will be the backbone of change in Syria. Addressing the Syrian opposition, Davutoğlu stated that they should combine their powers for their country. “It is known by everyone that the process you will start is not easy. You are the ones who will decide, not us. Syria’s future will be shaped only by the Syrian people. We are in contact with many groups in Syria. We are not giving special support to any group,” said Davutoğlu.

“A regime that has lost its credibility in the eyes of its people has also lost its legitimacy. The Syrian people and the representatives of the Syrian opposition are the only interlocutors for Turkey,” said Davutoğlu, adding that Turkey’s doors and the hearts of the Turkish people will continue to remain open for the Syrian people.

“The Syrian people have an honorable mission. In this mission, the Syrian people will always have the support of the Turkish government and Turkish people,” said Davutoğlu, adding no one can close their eyes to what is happening in Syria.

Davutoğlu underlined that Turkey’s Syrian policy was clear. He stated that Turkey was standing on the side of the Syrian people, who have justifiable reasons for wanting regime change.

The Turkish foreign minister emphasized that what was happening in Syria currently was the result of the violence of the despotic regime in Syria. “The Syrian regime is trying to change the course of the history, but this is useless. There is no example in history where brutality wins over the public will,” said Davutoğlu.

Stating that the Syrian regime had not fulfilled its promises either towards international community or towards its people, Davutoğlu said that the regime was making a mistake by believing in the suppression of public will by force.

Following his speech, Davutoğlu received sustained applause from the Syrian opposition.

Davutoğlu also said that, for Turkey, the consequence of the Geneva meeting, which was held last Saturday, was clear and that change was inevitable, adding more countries would attend the meeting which is expected to be held soon in Paris.

Prior to the meeting of the Syrian opposition, Davutoğlu had a meeting with Elaraby where sources said that Davutoğlu exchanged ideas with him about the opposition conference as well as the Geneva meeting. Meanwhile, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) declared that they were boycotting the Cairo meeting. FSA sources said that the ones attending the meeting were serving the interests of Iran and Russia.

Speaking at a gathering of Islamic scholars on Monday, which was held at the Grand Cevahir Hotel in İstanbul, Dr. Ali al-Qaradaghi, secretary-general of the International Union for Muslim Scholars, said that supporting the Syrian people was a religious duty. “All Muslims should support the Syrian people both morally and materially,” said Qaradaghi. Sunni Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi and Religious Affairs Directorate President Mehmet Görmez were also among the participants.

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