Constitution Committee to be Formed in Sochi Tasked with Discussing Current Constitution not with Forming New One

SOCHI, (ST)-  Member of the Syrian People’s Assembly, Lawyer  Ahmad al-Kuzbari, who is participating in the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, has stressed that the constitution committee which will be formed during the Congress will discuss the current Syrian constitution and suggest amendments to it and it isn’t tasked with forming a new constitution.

A 150-member Syrian constitutional committee was agreed on during the congress to work on drafting reforms to the Syrian constitution.

In a press conference in the Russian city of Sochi, al-Kuzbari said that the experts, member in the this committee, will sit and discuss what points in the constitution need amendment or additions and then they will submit their suggestions to the presidency of the conference.

 Any amendments to the current constitution are made either through forming a committee by the legislative authority (people’s Assembly) or through a presidential decree, he clarified, pointing out that the results of the committee’s works will be put for a referendum.

“Everything will be put under the umbrella of the current constitution which was agreed upon by the Syrian people in 2012; that is, the constitutions will be drafted only by the Syrians and on the Syrian territories,” al-Kuzbari affirmed.

He made it clear that everything is open for discussion during the congress, but there are some red lines represented in the national principles and the right of the Syrian people in choosing the shape of their future state and government.

Syria Dialogue Congress Kicks off in Sochi…Qallaa:  Syria Is the Beating Heart of Arabism, Crossroad of Civilizations

Activities of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress kicked off on Tuesday in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi with the participation of around 1500 people representing all categories of the Syrian society in addition to individuals representing external opposition.

The opening of the Congress was delayed as group of armed opposition members arriving from Turkey had set preconditions for their participation.

Syria is the beating heart of Arabism and the cross roads of civilizations

Ghassaan Qallaa, head of the Damascus Chamber of Commerce, said during the opening ceremony that Syria is the beating heart of Arabism and the cross roads of civilizations,  stressing the Syrians’ adherence to this strong link which, “despite the difficult past seven years through which our country has passed, was never weakened; rather, it became stronger and more fortified and without this common ground we, the Syrians, couldn’t achieve victories over the terrorist takfiri groups thanks to the sacrifices of our hero army and loyal people.”

“These victories have prepared circumstances for holding this congress in order to tell the entire world that we, the Syrians, are able to meet, listen to each other and to stress the national necklace which unites us,” affirmed al-Qallaa.

He reiterated that “Syria will be only for the honest national Syrians who have the exclusive right to determine their future.”

He urged the participants to be united in defense of Syria’s sovereignty, unity and independence against enemies’ sinister schemes and to protect the country’s national and independent decision.

Participants in the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in the Russian city of Sochi has elected the congress Chairmanship Commission. The commission comprised Ghassan Qallaa, Safwan Qudsi, Mohammad Maher Qabaqibi, Jamal Qaderi, Mais Kredi, Amal Yazigi, Riad Taouz, Qadri Jamil, Haitham Mannaa, Ahmad al-Jarba and Randa Qassis.

Safwan Qudsi was elected Chairman of the Conference, Maher Qabaqibi as a Vice-Chairman and Mays Kredi as a rapporteur.

Hamda Mustafa