Saudi Arabia backs Syrian opposition for Riyadh Conference

CAIRO – 10 August 2017: In the context of regional and international changes that recently took place in the region, Saudi Arabia has begun its preparations to hold a comprehensive conference with the entire Syrian opposition factions, to set specific demands to be negotiated with the Syrian government during the upcoming meeting in Riyadh scheduled in October.

Riyadh excluded the Syrian opposition leaders, those obstructing the political solution, especially who are supported and funded by Qatar, as one of Saudi Arabia's top current interests, regarding the Syrian crisis, is uniting the different Syrian opposition groups.

This is considered a positive move for Saudi, which could contribute to the beginning of the comprehensive settlement of the Syrian crisis, which has completed its sixth year without reaching a prospect of serious solution.

The meetings that were recently held with several leaders of the Syrian opposition in Saudi Arabia, has focused mainly on hiring new people for the position of the supreme body of negotiations, to get rid of affiliates of Qatari regime and Qatari oppositions, who are present with groups of Syrian opposition. These recent Saudi moves were executed in agreement with various Syrian parties, according to Syrian media reports.

Former Syrian Prime Minister Rayed Hegab was removed from the post of the general coordinator of the Supreme Negotiations of the Syrian oppositions, and also Nasr Hariri, who was heading the negotiations delegation in Geneva, was removed due to his full support and loyalty to the Qatari vision regarding the Syrian crisis.

In his meeting with Saudi foreign affairs minister, Hegab declared his final retirement from political work, and that he is not able to continue his work due to health issues.

Supreme Commission for Negotiations of Syrian opposition issued a statement Saturday August 5 requesting Riyadh to host a meeting of the Supreme Council with Syrian national figures and revolutionists, in order to expand the chances representation and decision making to continue the transition process of the country.

The commission added in its statement that it has formed a committee assigned to set up preparations of the conference, which will also focus on serving and accomplishing Syrian revolution. Meetings of the committee will be attended by political and military figures and representatives of civil society.

The Saudi diplomatic moves aim at delivering certain political messages to Ankara, through inviting Kurds to participate in the conference. This came in response to Turkey's interference in the Qatari crisis of severing diplomatic ties with four Arab states.