By Abd al Ahad Astifo. “ The American and European position confirms that the upcoming elections by the Syrian regime will not be free nor fair”.

The Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the “National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces”, Abdul Ahad Astifo, said that “the American position is very clear and firm toward the Assad regime’s presidential elections in the upcoming months.” He added in a statement to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that, “during the follow-up and examining the official statements, released last week, by US State Department or US Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield, permanent representative of the United States to the United Nations and presently residing President of the Security Council for this month; in addition to the joint statement issued last Monday by the US States Department and Foreign Ministers of, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy on the tenth anniversary of the Syrian revolution.

Mr. Astifo concluded, “It is evident to us that the official position is steadfast, not only for America, but also for European countries who are concerned and active in the Syrian conflict. These positions affirm, in a language that does not accept interpretation nor ambiguity , that the upcoming elections in Syria will not be free nor fair, and it would not contribute to settling the conflict, nor it would lead to international normalization of relations with the regime or to legitimize it, in addition, it does not meet the criteria required by UN Resolution 2254 (of 2015). . The latter stipulates the formation of a credible government that includes all the Syrians, non- sectarian based, and the drafting of a new constitution, in order to, carry out free and fair elections in accordance with the highest standards of international transparency under the supervision of the United Nations and with the participation of all Syrians, including those living in Diaspora”.

Mr. Astifo continued saying: “The American position is consistent and coherent with the European position, as stated in a number of statements by the French and the German foreign ministries, in addition to the statements of the European Union and the statements of the UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen,”. Mr. Astifo pointed out that “the US position is also consistent with what was stated in the sanctions of the Caesar Act, which came into effect last June, and affirms the use of economic, diplomatic and coercive means to force the government of Bashar al-Assad to implement a political transition in Syria according to Article 401 of the said act; the penalties are suspended when progress in confidence-building measures are applied in relation to humanitarian issues, accountability, and serious engagement in a political process that would lead to a just political solution that fulfills the aspirations of all Syrian people for freedom, justice, dignity, democracy and equality.