Brussels, 24/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Syrian coalition has once again requested weapons from Europe, on 23 July. “We are working with our European and American friends in the hope that they will provide us with technical, medical and humanitarian assistance, and we also hope for aid in the form of weapons and ammunition”, stressed the head of the Syrian Free Army, General Selim Idriss, on a visit to Paris, where he said that the opposition does not have “enough” weapons. “Naturally, we are asking France for total political support, diplomatic support, emergency humanitarian aid and military assistance”, added President of the Coalition Ahmad Jarba.
“We are starting a new phase within the Coalition. There is now the democratic impetus of Michel Kilo, as well as a considerable number of women and a group representing the Syrian Free Army (…). The opposition has never been as unified as it is today”, Jarba stressed, hoping to mollify Western concerns. Additionally, two United Nations experts responsible for examining the suspected use of chemical weapons, arrived in Damascus on 24 July, by invitation of the regime, to meet high-ranking Syrian officials to discuss the detailed requirements for cooperation before any mission can be set in place. The regime and the opposition have accused each other of using chemical weaponry. (CG/transl.fl)