‘Together to Damascus I’ Forum sees national democratic powers’ role in making decision ‘a must’

DAMASCUS, (ST) _ Reconciliation Minister has said all spectrum of Syrian society must take part in the national programs and projects.

Ali Haidar’s remark was made during the ‘Together to Damascus I’ Forum held yesterday in Damascus with the participation of several national parties’ secretaries, Syrian tribes’ representatives, Non-Governmental Organizations and Members of Parliament.

 The participants underscored the need for attracting the national democratic powers inside Syria to take part in making the national decision in order to confront terrorism that hit the country and to offer ideas to solve economic, social and education problems.

They referred to the friendly country’s role in supporting Syria in its war against terrorism and in reaching a peaceful political solution to the nearly five-year-old crisis in the country.

In addition, the participants called for holding a comprehensive conference for national dialogue representing all Syrians and laying the groundwork for the establishment of a popular democratic national front. 

The Forum came a week after Vienna talks during which the participants agreed on nine points:

1-Syria’s unity, independence, territorial integrity, and secular character are fundamental.

2-State institutions will remain intact.

3-The rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination, must be protected.

4-It is imperative to accelerate all diplomatic efforts to end the war.

5-Humanitarian access will be ensured throughout the territory of Syria, and the participants will increase support for internally displaced persons, refugees, and their host countries. 

6-Da’esh, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the U.N. Security Council, and further, as agreed by the participants, must be defeated.  

7-Pursuant to the 2012 Geneva Communique and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2118, the participants invited the U.N. to convene representatives of the Government of Syria and the Syrian opposition for a political process leading to credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance, followed by a new constitution and elections.  These elections must be administered under U.N. supervision to the satisfaction of the governance and to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, free and fair, with all Syrians, including the diaspora, eligible to participate.

8-This political process will be Syrian led and Syrian owned, and the Syrian people will decide the future of Syria.  

9-The participants together with the United Nations will explore modalities for, and implementation of, a nationwide ceasefire to be initiated on a date certain and in parallel with this renewed political process.

BasmaQaddour