Convening of another SNC only way to save Syria, assert experts

Jeddah - Leading personalities of the Arab world call for convening second Syrian National Congress.

Four leading personalities of the Arab world have called for the convening of the second Syrian National Congress (SNC) to save Syria.
"This is the only way (out)," said Abdelelah Alkhatib, former foreign minister of Jordan; Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of the Arab League; Mohammad Al Sabah, former deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait; and Turki Al Faisal, former general intelligence director of Saudi Arabia.
"This tragic situation would not have happened had the Syrian regime acted wisely, responsibly, and realistically. It did not," they said.
"The misery and decimation could also have been avoided had the international community fulfilled its duty and obligations to safeguard international peace and security. It did not. They proposed the convening of a second SNC. According to them, the National Congress should be based on and abide by the following principles:
> Since supporters and opponents of the regime agree that the Syrian people have the right to self-determination, all parties should be morally and legally bound to entrust their national destiny to the Syrian people by granting them the freedom to choose their representatives to the National Congress.
> In consultation with the Arab League, the secretary-general of the United Nations should gather all representatives of the Syrian people and convene such a National Congress.
This will also entail the Security Council of the UN imposing, under chapter 7 of the charter of the UN, a cease-fire between the regime and opposition forces for six months in order that the Syrian people may choose their representatives.
> An independent international commission should be established for drawing up all necessary procedures whereby this National Congress may fully represent the Syrian people.
> This National Congress should meet in a neutral location for three months and none but the representatives should administer, set the agenda for or intervene in the proceedings or resolutions.
> Those who serve in the National Congress, as well as the international community, should show their support for the Syrian people by abiding by its outcomes, by pledging to provide all required assistance for rebuilding Syria, and by doing whatever is in their power to help the Syrian people heal their wounds and resume their participation with the global community.
> The Security Council should invoke Chapter 7 of the UN' charter to impose the National Congress's implementations through agreed-upon means of compliance and to penalise the parties that do not abide by the results.
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