Participants stress need for diplomatic victories to match Syrian army’s advances on battlefield

The Syrian National Gathering held a meeting Saturday, in which a number of national and civil parties and figures took part to discuss Geneva II, under the banner “the Syrian people have the final word in Geneva II."

The head of the Central Committee for Popular Reconciliations, Jaber Mahmoud Issa, reviewed the committee's position on Geneva II, which included the need to ease the obstacles being created by the U.S. and Zionist administrations and some Western and regional countries and their agents inside [Syria] which are an attempt to prevent Geneva II being held, or even foiling it if it is held.

He called for punishing corrupt workers in the state, whatever their position is, and publically holding them accountable.

The representative of the Endowments Ministry, Sheikh Ahmad al-Jazaeri, pointed out that the Geneva II conference cannot "impose on Syria and its people anything that undermines its will and unity."

He added that the goal of Geneva II should be focused on ending bloodshed in Syria and restoring security and peace to Syria.

Bishop Luqa Khoury, assistant to the Patriarch of Roman Orthodox Church, called on participants in Geneva II to work toward eliminating terrorism in Syria and bringing a united vision among participants in the conference, in addition to disregarding those not working for Syria. He reiterated that the opposition outside Syria does not represent the Syrian people and their aspirations.

The mufti of DeirEzzor, Sheikh Abdul-Qader al-Rawi, stressed that loving the homeland is a religious duty that requires exerting all efforts to protect the country from its enemies.

The chairman of the Syrian Journalists Federation, Ilyas Murad, said the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab Army on the ground should be accompanied by Syrian diplomatic victories at Geneva II and preventing attempts by some sides involved in the war on Syria from imposing conditions and winning points that they could not win on the ground.

Several Syrian parties and figures and civil organizations took part in the gathering.

Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer