Brussels, 01/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - The lawyer and human rights activist Haytham al-Maleh said on Tuesday 31 July, that he had been given the task by a coalition of independent Syrians without any political affiliation of forming a government in exile, which will be based in Cairo. “We don't want to find ourselves in a situation of a political or administrative void” if Bashar al-Assad's regime falls, he said, adding that “this phase requires cooperation between all parties”.
On Monday, the Free Syrian Army presented a programme of national salvation calling for the formation of a presidential council composed of six political and military figures, which will direct the transition after the fall of the regime. Meanwhile the Syrian National Council announced on Saturday that it was going to discuss with groups on the ground a transition government directed by a figure engaged in the uprising since the beginning.
Resignation of highest-ranking Syrian diplomat in United Kingdom. Syrian chargé d'affaire in the United Kingdom Khaled al-Ayoubi has resigned his post, the UK Foreign Office announced on Monday 30 July. “Mr al-Ayoubi has told us that he is no longer willing to represent a regime that has committed such violent and oppressive acts against its own people, and is therefore unable to continue in his position”, the Ministry spokesperson said.
Mr al-Ayoubi was the most senior Syrian diplomat serving in London. “His departure is another blow to the Assad regime. It illustrates the revulsion and despair the regime's actions are provoking amongst Syrians from all walks of life, inside the country and abroad”, the spokesperson added, going on: “We urge others around Bashar Al-Assad to follow Mr al-Ayoubi's example; to disassociate themselves from the crimes being committed against the Syrian people and to support a peaceful and free future for Syria”. (CG/transl.fl)