The following is my translation of a statement posted
in Arabic by Moaz el-Khatib, head of the Syrian National Coalition of
Revolutionary and Opposition force, on his Facebook page.
 |
| Moaz el-Khatib |
The statement categorically rejects any political
solution brokered by Syria troubleshooter Lakhdar Brahimi that would keep
President Bashar al-Assad in place until the end of his second term of office
in 2014:
****
In the name
of God the Merciful
To the forbearing people of Syria,
The Halfaya
massacre was not committed by the Syrian regime without help. Whoever acquiesces
to it is an accomplice to shedding Syrian blood.
Reticence on the massacres being committed against the
Syrian people translates into blackmail and coercion of the people, their
revolution and leadership.
All political solutions being floated around are unacceptable
when they bypass the Syrian people.
We told every official we met: Keeping the regime and
its head in place – with or without powers – is totally unacceptable to
Syrians. After 20 months of sacrifices and the shedding of the Syrian people’s
blood, how can anyone suggest maintaining the status quo until
2014?
The sitting National Coalition leadership let Lakhdar
Brahimi know the rejection of this solution in plain words.
Any political solution to redeem the regime is
unacceptable. A political solution is one that spares Syrian blood. Any
solution that does not commence with Assad stepping down is refused and one we have
to abort.
The Halfaya outrage was not just one more massacre.
It was a communication from all regime supporters saying: You either die or
accept the servitude we dictate.
I say forcefully: We choose freedom no matter how
long it takes.
Signed
Moaz el-Khatib
Head of the Syrian Coalition
