'Friends of Syria' recognizes opposition coalition
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E-mail Xinhua, December 13, 2012
The meeting of so-called "Friends of Syria" on Wednesday recognizes Syria's National Coalition for the Opposition Forces as "the legitimate representative of the Syrian people," according to a draft chairman's conclusion of the meeting.
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Photo taken on Dec. 12, 2012 shows the overview of the meeting of Friends of Syria held in Marrakech, Morocco. The meeting of Friends of Syria held here Wednesday recognizes the National Coalition for the Opposition Forces, which was formed by Syrian opposition groups in early November in Qatar's Doha, as "the legitimate representative of the Syrian people," according to a draft chairman's conclusions of the meeting. [Photo: Xinhua] |
The fourth Friends of Syria meeting, participated by representatives from 114 countries and regions and 15 NGOs, was held in Morocco's Marrakech on Wednesday.
The draft conclusion, of which one copy was obtained by Xinhua, said the Friends of Syria sees the National Coalition for the Opposition Forces, formed by Syrian opposition groups early November in Qatar's Doha, as "the umbrella organization under which the Syrian opposition are gathering."
Participants of the meeting expressed their commitment to provide support to the coalition forces, reiterating that the prompt departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would avoid the loss of more Syrian lives and further destruction -- a consistent stand that the group of countries have been holding.
The participating representatives expressed their serious concern regarding the dire situation of the internally displaced people and those who seek refugee outside Syria due to domestic violence.
The meeting adopted a proposition to create a fund to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
The representatives also stressed "that any use of chemical or biological weapons by the Syrian regime would be abhorrent and that this would draw a serious response from the international community."
Damascus has made several statements after the U.S. and Western suspicion about its possession of chemical weapons, saying even if it had them, it would not use them "against people."
Before the meeting on Wednesday, George Sabra, vice president of the newly-formed Syrian opposition coalition, told Xinhua that "We expect full recognition by the international community of coalition as the sole and legitimate representative of the Syrian people."
Saed Eddine Othmani, Moroccan ministry of foreign affairs, announced at a press conference after the meeting that the next Friends of Syria meeting will be held in Italy.
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