Cairo, 13/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - Speaking in Cairo on Tuesday 13 November, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton warmly welcomed the 11 November agreement between Syrian opposition representatives aimed at forming an umbrella organisation, the National Coalition for Opposition Forces and Syrian Revolution. She said the EU has continuously called for the Syrian opposition to form an inclusive and representative common platform, saying she looks forward to the new coalition becoming fully “functional and inclusive, subscribing to the principles of human rights and democracy”. Ashton also congratulated Sheikh Mouaz Al-Khatib for his election as the president of this new coalition. She said he is known for being a “true Syrian national figure committed to a new Syria, which includes all components of Syrian society”, adding that the EU remains committed to a “a Syrian-led political transition that would meet the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people”.
Laurent Fabius, French Foreign Minister, said for his part that he had met the coalition, and that France would support it, but did not speak of formal recognition. The Arab League recognised the legitimacy of the coalition describing it as a legitimate representative of the Syrian opposition. (CG/transl.jl)