Syrian dissidents set up 'national council'

Turkish-Syrian Border, Jun 20: Syrian opposition activists have set up a "National Council" to spearhead the battle to oust President Bashar al-Assad's regime, a group of dissidents, including their spokesman Jamil Saib, announced today (June 20).

"We announce the creation of a National Council to lead the Syrian revolution, comprising all communities and representatives of national political forces inside and outside Syria," they told reporters a near the Turkish-Syrian border.

The activists urged opposition forces "to cooperate in all cities and provinces of Syria to achieve the legitimate goal of overthrowing the regime and bringing it to justice."

Saib said council members included notably Abdallah Trad el Moulahim, one of the organisers of a Syrian opposition gathering in Turkey this month, Haitham el-Maleh, Souhair al-Atassi and Aref Dalila, all three based in Syria, as well as Sheikh Khaled al-Khalaf and Mamoun el-Homsi.

"The purpose of this council is to bring together opposition forces to support the revolution" and ensure that they are heard by the international community, Saib told AFP.

The council was created "in the name of Syria's free revolutionary youth in view of the crimes the regime perpetrated against the oppressed civilian population, which was holding peaceful protests," the group said.

AFP