Syria’s opposition SNC outlines post-Assad vision and reaches out to Kurds

with Agencies

The main opposition Syrian National Council (SNC) outlined on Friday its vision for a post-Bashar al-Assad Syria,
proposing an interim presidential council of national leaders and a truth and reconciliation committee. In a copy of his speech at the ‘Friends of the Syrian People’ meeting in Tunis, SNC leader Burhan Ghalioun called for the continuation of the uprising until Assad was ousted or handed over power as per an Arab League plan. After that, Ghalioun called for the “formation of a presidential council composed of national leaders and the formation of a transitional government of political, military and technocratic figures who have not fought against the revolution.”

He also proposed the creation of a council that would address the abuses of the Assad regime and prevent any political or sectarian reprisals.

“The committee will work to reconcile and restore the sense of nationalism and human values that have been lacking during this crisis,” he said.

The transitional period would end with elections to a parliament that would draw up a new constitution.

Ghalioun sought to reassure Syrian Kurds they would have a place in a post-Bashar al-Assad country, promising decentralized government and national recognition of Kurdish identity.

“The new Syria will have a decentralized government, thereby enabling local authorities to take control of their affairs,” Burhan Ghalioun said, according to a copy of his speech.

“Your identity will be nationally recognized and respected and your rights as citizens will be assured. You will play a significant role in rebuilding the Syria of our dreams, the Syria of which we have been dreaming for decades.”

Ghalioun, who has drawn some criticism over his position on the Kurds in the past, said there was no contradiction between a Syria that embraces its Arab character and that respects Kurdish national identity and assures Kurds equal rights before the law.