National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces
 | |
| Formation | 11 November 2012 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Opposition to and replacement of the Bashar al-Assad government of Syria |
Region served | Syria |
Official language | Arabic |
Secretary General | Mustafa Sabbagh |
President | Moaz al-Khatib |
Vice Presidents | Riad Seif Suheir Atassi |
Parent organization | Syrian opposition |
| Staff | 60 members |
| Website | http://www.etilaf.org Template:Lang icon |
The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (Template:Lang-ar), commonly named the Syrian National Coalition (Template:Lang-ar) is a coalition of opposition groups in the Syrian civil war that was founded in Doha, Qatar in November 2012. Former imam of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Moaz al-Khatib, considered a moderate, was elected the president of the coalition. Riad Seif and Suheir Atassi, both prominent democracy activists and the latter a secular feminist, were elected vice presidents. Mustafa Sabbagh was elected as the coalition's secretary-general.[1] The coalition has a council with 60 seats, of which 22 are to be filled by the Syrian National Council.[2]
Structure and aims
At its creation in November 2012, the National Coalition elected Moaz al-Khatib as its president, Riad Seif and Suheir Atassi as vice-presidents, and Mustafa Sabbagh as secretary-general.[1] As of 20 November 2012[update], the coalition plans to have a 60-member council, of which 22 members are to be from the Syrian National Council.[1]
The main aims of the National Coalition are replacing the Bashar al-Assad government and "its symbols and pillars of support", "dismantling the security services", unifying and supporting the Free Syrian Army, refusing dialogue and negotiation with the al-Assad government, and "holding accountable those responsible for killing Syrians, destroying [Syria], and displacing [Syrians].[3]
Support and criticism within Syria
Support
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria (LCCSyria) stated that they "[reaffirm their] participation in the National Coalition. The [LCCSyria have] worked hard, and will continue to spare no effort, to ensure the success of the National Coalition in its service to the revolution."[3] The National Coalition is supported by the Free Syrian Army.[4]
On 16 November 2012, there were 497 street demonstrations in Syria according to the LCCSyria, including 121 demonstrations in Hama that "expressed support for the National Coalition" and 104 demonstrations in Idlib that called for the National Coalition to "support the revolutionaries".[5]
International support
Diplomatic recognition
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On 12 November the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman, recognised the coalition as "the legitimate representative" of the Syrian people, ceasing recognition of the Syrian government led by Bashar al-Assad.[6]
Later, the Arab League (with the exception of Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon)[2][7] recognised the coalition as "the legitimate representative and main interlocutor with the Arab League".[8] The League did not give full recognition to the opposition; although, this statement was disputed by the Prime Minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani.[2] He stated, "That claim is absolutely untrue, and the position of the two parties is identical" in response to the idea that the Arab League's support was different from the support of the Cooperation Council.[7] He also stated that the Arab League "urges regional and international organisations to recognise [the National Coalition] as a legitimate representative for the aspirations of the Syrian people".[2]
The National Coalition is supported by NATO countries France, United States, United Kingdom, and Turkey.[8] The United States issued a press statement on 11 November 2012 congratulating representatives of the Syrians for forming the coalition.[9] The press statement stated that "We look forward to supporting the National Coalition as it charts a course toward the end of Assad’s bloody rule and the start of the peaceful, just, democratic future that all the people of Syria deserve."[9] It also restated its commitment to humanitarian and non-lethal assistance and commended Qatar for its role in the conference.[9]
On 13 November, France recognised the coalition as the "only representative of the Syrian people" and as the "future interim government of democratic Syria", and called for all European nations to do so as well.[10][11] The United States regards the coalition as "a legitimate representative" of the Syrian people,[12] but president Barack Obama refused to recognise the Coalition as a "government in exile."[13]
On 15 November, Turkey recognised the National Coalition as the sole representative of the Syrian people.[14][15][16] On 19 November, The European Union recognized the National Coalition as "legitimate representatives of the aspirations of the Syrian people". [17][18]
| Rank | Entity | Date of recognition | Direct terminology |
|---|---|---|---|
| - |  Libya2 |
10 October 2011 | Sole legitimate government of Syria1 |
| 1 |  Bahrain |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 1 |  Kuwait |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 1 |  Oman |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 1 |  Qatar |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 1 |  Saudi Arabia |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 1 |  United Arab Emirates |
12 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative of Syria1 |
| 7 |  France |
13 November 2012 | Sole representative of the Syrian people1 and future interim government of democratic Syria[10][11] |
| 8 |  Turkey |
15 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative1 of Syrian people[15] |
| 9 |  United Kingdom |
20 November 2012 | Sole legitimate representative1 of Syrian people[19] |
Diplomatic representation
As of 17 November 2012[update], Monzer Makhous was recognised by France as a representative of the National Coalition and as the future Syrian Ambassador "once a provisional government is established and recognised internationally."[20]
Notes
^1 As no cabinet government had been formed as of 16 November 2012[update] by the National Coalition, "sole legitimate representative" is used instead in many cases.[citation needed]
^2 Libya had announced recognition of the Syrian National Council as the government of Syria on 10 October, 2011 [21] It is not clear if this recognition transfers to the Syrian National Coalition.
Members
References
- ^ a b c Rebhy, Abdullah (2012-11-11). "Syrian opposition groups reach unity dea". Seattle Times/Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Syria crisis: Arab League welcomes new opposition bloc". BBC. 13 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ a b "The National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces". Local Coordination Committees of Syria. 2012-11-12. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Islamic groups reject Syria opposition bloc". France 24. 2012-11-19. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Syria Today 16-11-2012". Local Coordination Committees of Syria. 2012-11-17. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "GCC recognizes Syria's new opposition bloc". Al Arabiya. November 12, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
- ^ a b "Arab League recognizes new Syrian opposition coalition". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Arab League recognises Syria's new opposition bloc". Al Arabiya News. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ a b c Toner, Mark C. (11 November 2012). "Formation of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ a b "François Hollande reconnaît la coalition nationale syrienne" (in French). France 24. 2012-11-13. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b "Hollande reconnaît la coalition nationale syrienne" (in French). Europe 1/Thomson Reuters. 2012-11-13. Archived from the original on 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Syria: France backs anti-Assad coalition". BBC News. November 13, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ Richter, Paul (15 November 2012). "President Obama won't recognize Syrian rebels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
- ^ http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/100601--turkish-foreign-minister-says-his-country-recognizes-syrian-national-coalition-as-the-sole-legitimate-representative-of-syrian-people
- ^ a b "Turkey recognises new Syrian opposition". France 24. 2012-11-15. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.nowlebanon.com/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?ID=456953
- ^ "EU recognises Syria opposition bloc". Al Jazeera English. 2012-11-19. Archived from the original on 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ AFP via Google
- ^ "Syria conflict: UK recognises opposition, says William Hague". BBC News. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ "Syrian coalition to name ambassador to France". France 24. 2012-11-17. Archived from the original on 2012-11-17. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Libya NTC says recognises Syrian National Council". Khaleej Times. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
