Communiqu

Office of Dr Riad Hijab

Former Prime Minister of Syria
______________________________________________

9 October 2015

A call to all Syrians for joint action and unity
Today the Syrian Revolution is undergoing one of its most sensitive and complicated stages.
Despite regional and international changes, concurrent domestic events on the ground; the latest
being the commencement of a formal "intervention" by Russia, there seems to be a window of
opportunity for the Syrians and their revolution to take forward steps, wielding the momentum of
the revolution and its direction.
Far from entering into analysis of regional and international positions; these words are intended to
highlight the size and significance of the role the Syrians may play, and perhaps, for the first time,
the degree in which they may influence history and the outcome of their revolution.
Despite all the ideological, political, personal and organisational differences amongst various
supporters of the Syrian revolution, the situation in Syria has witnessed in the last weeks dramatic
tangible cooperation amongst these groups, leading to a unification of visions and attitudes, in
particular towards finding a political solution, and relevant policies and decisions relating to the
situation in Syria in general.
The Syrians have recognised that it would be morally reprehensible if the sacrifices of our people
were in vain - after almost five years since the start of our blessed revolution. Therefore continuing
disagreement towards recent critical events, and the consequences resulting from such discord, is
clearly no longer an option.
These previous five years, with the grinding experiences they brought all of us, have imposed the
imperative to take advantage of the lessons learnt, and the need for a transition to a new political
culture. The current circumstances have broadened the responsibility placed on Syrians, to
understand the implications of the current situation, the means to deal with it, and employ it with
political tact in order to achieve their aims and aspirations.
If the anticipated removal of all differences is unrealistic; then pragmatism stipulates the
postponement of such differences to a later stage, thereafter dealing with these differences in a
more democratic and civil fashion, consistent with the time and age; after the fall of the regime. This
is possibly the single most important thing Syrians have learned from their experience; it is also a
gateway to regional credibility and in convincing the international community that the Syrians are
able to unite, and thus, manage their political affairs in a way which ensures domestic stability and
preserves regional security.

The Syrians have proved their ability, with minimum support, to confront Assad and the various
invading forces that stand behind him. There is no doubt that the Syrian people are able to deal
with this current Russian challenge, which some thirty years ago, was dealt a crushing defeat in
Afghanistan.
Today, the Syrians are required to demonstrate their ability to plan and organise for the period
following the fall of the regime- on the ground, militarily and politically. Unity is therefore the first
and most important step towards this: national unity is the best way to refute claims of a divided
opposition, which some parties have used as an excuse to refrain from providing support, or in turn,
prevent those who intended to provide support.
This bitter experience proves that international support cannot simply develop from charity or
sympathy to a just cause; quite the reverse, it will stem from full awareness that the Assad regime
has crossed all the red lines and is threating the stability and security of the region and the entire
world. Support will come out of a serious desire to find an alternative government able to achieve
stability, combined with an ability to preserve peaceful, civil co-existence.
Therefore, all Syrians are invited to make a historical contribution towards achieving a popular
consensus and the establishment of a transitional phase that ensures national security, preserves
regional balance and adheres to the global order.
Accordingly, all opposition institutions and groups, and at the forefront, the National Coalition, the
Free Syrian Army, the national Islamic factions, and all genuine opposition groups and individuals
with consistent moderate positions in support of the revolution should work with a unified voice and
further augment coordination and cooperation amongst them, and take measures to further
enhance political integration and solidarity throughout, with a genuine commitment to a unified,
national message which reflects Syrias, culture, history and collective identity.
We call on all Syrians, no matter the affiliations, to take serious positions in order to achieve the
goals of the revolution, both at the level of the individual, parties and organisations; both personally
and professionally.
Every word and every effort you contribute advances the achievement of our aspirations.
The Syrians shall prove to themselves, before they prove to others, that they are best able to
achieve the goals of the revolution, the overthrow of the Assad regime, and the establishment of a
new Syria. It was the Syrians alone who lit the flame of their revolution at the onset.

Long live a free proud Syria.

Dr Riad Hijab
Former Prime Minister of Syria
E-mail: syrianassembley@gmail.com