Marrakech Conference: A Decisive Step In Resolving The Syrian Crisis‏ – OpEd

By

The 4th Ministerial Meeting of the “Group of Friends of the Syrian people”, in Marrakech, will focus primarily on the latest developments in the Syrian crisis, the path of a crisis and how to mobilize international aid to put an end to the suffering of civilians.

The Marrakech Conference, which takes place after those of Tunis (February 2012), Istanbul (April 2012) and Paris (July 2012), will be attended by nearly a hundred delegations, in addition to representatives of the Syrian National Coalition (CNS ), and international and regional organizations, and civil society. It is the Group’s first meeting since the unification of the Syrian opposition.

Syria
Syria

The three previous meetings focused on an adequate solution for a crisis that faces the aspirations of the Syrian people within the framework of the UN resolutions , the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

The Group had likewise called for a political transition in the country, and expressed support for the Syrian opposition and the SNC as the sole and legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

In this sense, it is expected that the meeting in Marrakech define ways to capitalize on the results from previous meetings of the group, and consider ways to ensure a suitable political transition to a democratic and pluralist Syria.

In this regard, the Minister Delegte for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Youssef Amrani, who participated Sunday in Doha, at the meeting of the Arab Ministerial Committee in charge of the Syrian crisis, said that the Marrakech Conference “aims to reconcile points of view between the opposition forces that will be present and to prepare the transition to democracy, “which he described as” essential. ”

This democratic transition must meet two fundamental principles, namely the preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria and strengthening the national agreement, that is the approach adopted by Morocco in its support for the Syrian people, he said.

In the same vein, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Saad El Dine Otmani, said in an interview with the Saudi London based daily Acharq Al Awsat that , the Marrakech meeting will take decisions at the political level, and will reiterate the unconditional support to the Syrian people and the new coalition.

In humanitarian terms, he said, these decisions would help to bring back more than 2.5 million internally displaced or living in refugee camps outside of Syria. Morocco aims that this meeting will deploy all necessary efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people by dispathing humanitarian assistance in coordination with neighboring countries or through the High Commissioner for refugees.

Since the outbreak of the crisis, Morocco has joined international efforts to find a solution to the crisis, adopting this position essentially based on respect for the sovereignty and independence of Syria, its unity and its territorial integrity.

Thus, the Kingdom has participated and contributed effectively and responsibly in all meetings held at the Arab League and the United Nations, thus making a valuable contribution to international efforts to this end.

In humanitarian terms, the Kingdom was among the first countries to provide assistance to the civilian population in Syria. In this context, Morocco has made in August, on the instructions of King Mohammed VI, hospital medical-surgical camp in Zaatari. Food, medicines and blankets were also sent to the camp for Syrian refugee .

The King’s visit to the camp, the first of its kind for a head of state, demonstrated the commitment of Morocco to Syria acting on humanitarian terms.

Similarly, aid was sent for populations displaced Syrian camp in Turkey Gazi Antep. Food, blankets and tents were sent to help the Syrian refugees to face the cold winter that has plagued the region.

Created at the initiative of the former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, the Group of Friends of Syria brings together more than one hundred Arab and Western countries, international organizations and representatives of the Syrian opposition.

Said Temsamani

Said Temsamani is a Moroccan political observer and consultant, who follows events in his country and across North Africa. He is a member of Washington Press Club.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *