At London,SNC sets Assad’s departure as condition for joining talks

SNC Chief Ahmed Jarba said corridors must be opened without delay for humanitarian aid workers to go inside besieged areas. He also protested against the alleged role of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Islamic militants wreaking havoc within Syria and discrediting the opposition movement against Assad’s rule.

A day after Assad made his intent clear to run in the 2014 elections,SNC said no progress was possible until he resigned from presidency. “The regime cannot be allowed to shed more Syrian blood. We will talk only if Assad goes. We will not hold talks with Assad sitting at the other side of the table,” was Jarba’s clear message to the world.

US Secretary of State John Kerry too shared the sentiment,saying that the US was open to any change in accordance with the Syrian people’s right to self-determination,but Assad could not be allowed to either retain power or be given an opportunity to do so.

“He has been killing people of his own country. He has been using bombs and other weapons of mass destruction. How can he be allowed to continue?” Kerry asked.

Now in its third year,the Syrian Civil War has gained dimensions of complexity, having more than a few active players influencing affairs. The states supporting the current government and rebels respectively are sharply divided,helping out their clients through diplomacy,arms supplies and strategic assistance.

The following seven demands were made by the SNC at the London conference:

*Taking into account the displacement of individuals and atrocities committed by fighters on the ground,enough spaces for humanitarian relief work must be provided. In addition,unlawful detentions must scrapped,detainees released and prison torture done away with immediately.

*For the SNC to engage in talks,Bashar al-Assad has to abdicate power.

*Negotiations must be pursued within a specific time-frame.

*Chapter 7 of the UN Charter must be brought into full effect in Syria.

*The Syrian National Council must be the only recognised opposition group (expressly agreed by the parties to the conference).

*Iran cannot be party to the negotiations due to its shadowy role in Syria and its connections with the Hezbollah.

*Heavy weapons from all areas in Syria must be removed immediately.