Brussels, 02/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Having followed with “great interest” the statements and discussions on Syria on the occasion of the summit of the League of Arab States in Doha (Qatar) on 26 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hails the vision and leadership of the president of the Syrian coalition, Moaz Al-Khatib, Ashton's spokesperson stated on 28 March. On several occasions, Ashton “welcomed Mr Al-Khatib's courageous efforts to engage with representatives of the Syrian regime and launch a dialogue leading to a peaceful resolution of the conflict”, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson stressed that “a political process is needed more than ever” and that “it is vital that all efforts to this end be kept alive”. Ashton “encourages all Syrian opposition forces to act in a united way towards a democratic transition” in Syria, he added.
During the 24th Arab League summit, Al-Khatib - who has resigned as president - argued for the autonomy of the opposition in the face of foreign interference. He said that it is up to “only the Syrian people to choose who will lead them, and the way in which they will be governed”, adding that “no foreign country will do this in its place”. Al-Khatib called for “all forms of support” and wanted the countries to help the coalition “sit in Syria's place at the United Nations and in international organisations”. The countries gave Syria's seat to the opposition and proclaimed the right to arm the opposition, saying that political settlement remains a priority. The summit also called for an international conference to be organised on the reconstruction of Syria “in the framework of the United Nations” (our translation). (CG/transl.fl)