The Negotiating Body begins its meetings to elect representatives of the independents with a Saudi request, Al-Hariri expresses reservation over meetings

ARK News: The work of a meeting of representatives of independents from the Syrian revolution and opposition forces, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, started today in Riyadh, at the headquarters of the negotiating body, for a period of two days.

Al-Hariri talked about the meetings recently being held by the independent figures in Riyadh as he emphasized the vital role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a regional, pivotal state. He added that no one can deny the Kingdom's support for the Syrian people in all areas.

He pointed out that key components of the Syrian Negotiations Commission objected to the mechanism under which those meetings took place. He indicated that those objections came in accordance with a legal principle as there is no any legal basis for holding such meetings. He noted that these meetings needed consultation, coordination and involvement of all the Syrian parties with the aim of ensuring a broader representation, which will be in the interest of the Syrian people and their cause.

“One of the objections stated that the list of invitees to the meeting did not contain any personality from the liberated areas,” Al-Hariri said, adding that “many of the personalities were not independent, but affiliated with political blocs and parties. The list of invitees was dominated by the language of nepotism, favoritism, relatives, and personal interests.”

Al Hariri went on: “We will not accept or wish to be part of any axis,” expressing his hope “that all axes will keep the Syrian people away from political squabbling.”

“We have reservations over the mechanism of holding the meetings, not over the list of invitees. The components of the Commission, therefore, believes that it is not concerned with these meetings nor will it accept their results.”

He asked the Kingdom and its “wise leadership, HE the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and HE the Minister of Foreign Affairs to consider the points that he raised as well as to remember the tragedy of the Syrian people and to look for a way out through calm diplomatic dialogue aimed at overcoming this issue.”

“Protecting the opposition against disunity is at the hands of our brothers in the Kingdom,” he said, stressing that the Syrian opposition must not to be brought back to years of divisions and tensions.

The meeting is scheduled to conclude today with a closing statement, and to elect representatives from among the participants to be new members of the negotiating body similar to the Riyadh Conferences 1 and 2.

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