Syrian President Bashar al-Assad proposed an initiative to resolve the Syrian crisis, calling it the “Political Solution Initiative.” Former Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam described this speech as coming from a butcher who kills his people and attempts to address the international community to avoid interference.
Assad said, “This initiative requires the initial commitment of the concerned regional and international countries to cease funding and sheltering those he referred to as armed groups, and in return, the armed groups should halt terrorist operations in Syria to facilitate the return of displaced individuals.”
He added, “Subsequently, the Syrian armed forces should cease their military operations, while reserving the right to respond to any aggression or attack, along with establishing a mechanism to ensure the commitment of all parties to the aforementioned terms.”
Assad pointed out in his speech today that the second part of his initiative involves the current Syrian government engaging in intensive communication with all segments of Syrian society to convene a national dialogue conference. This conference should include all legitimate forces concerned with a solution, whether from within Syria or abroad. The government should invite comprehensive dialogue to reach a national pact that upholds the unity and independence of Syrian territory, denounces violence, and rejects interference in Syrian affairs.
Assad indicated that this pact would shape Syria’s future by agreeing on new laws for political parties, elections, and local administration. The pact should be presented to a popular referendum, and following that, an expanded government should be formed from various components of the Syrian people to implement the pact. Afterward, the Syrian constitution should be put to a popular referendum, followed by the formation of a new government in accordance with the constitution to oversee the elections.
On the ground, a demonstration was launched in the town of Salqin in Idlib, denouncing Bashar al-Assad’s speech. Abdul Halim Khaddam described Bashar as a killer who used aviation weapons and utilized the army, which was supposed to be patriotic, to speak about the people or national unity.
Khaddam stated, “Not a single individual believes a word of this speech to be true because this killer, who has killed unimaginable numbers and forced citizens to flee, and has stabbed the nation, cannot speak on behalf of the people or work for the people.”
He added, “Practically, he is telling the international community not to intervene or negotiate unless the world accepts him as a continuous butcher. Therefore, this speech is directed at the major powers, and the world must understand the significance of this speech and take action to save the Syrian people from this butcher and his gang.”
Khaddam further commented, “It is necessary to form a military coalition to intervene in Syria and rescue the Syrians. The Syrian interior urges the international community to intervene to protect it, as the Syrians resist with the limited weapons they have, facing aircraft, tanks, and artillery with their bodies. This people deserve international unity and a decision to overthrow this regime through a military coalition.”
