Saudi Arabia Vows Continued Support for Syrian Rebels
The Kingdom reaffirms that it will continue backing Syria’s political process that aims to oust President Bashar Al Assad from power
Saudi Arabia will continue to support rebels in Syria if Bashar Al Assad cannot be removed through a political resolution, the country’s foreign minister said.
Speaking to reporters at Vienna, Adel Al Jubeir said: “We will support the Syrian people. We will support the political process that will result in (Assad) leaving, or we will continue to support the Syrian opposition in order to remove him by force.”
Al Jubeir’s statement comes as Russia, the United States and a number of Middle East and European countries gathered in Vienna to find a resolution to the civil war in Syria. The countries agreed to work with rebel groups within Syria to form a government but said that it will not apply to Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Although the participants at the talks outlined a peace plan for Syria, differences remained between the participants on Assad’s role.
The US and other Gulf countries have maintained their stand that Assad will have to leave power for a legitimate government to be established in Syria. But such a proposal finds resistance from Russia, a political ally of the current Syrian president.
“We still differ, obviously, on the issue of what happens with Bashar Al Assad,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said at the conference.
“But we are relying on the political process itself, led by Syrians, which it will be going forward, and the Syrians negotiating with Syrians; that that can help bring a close to this terrible chapter.”
Certain rebel groups have turned into hardline militants, further complicating the process of establishing a proper government in Syria.
Both Russia and a US-led coalition have been carrying out air strikes on ISIL, one of the main foes of Assad. But the coalition has blamed Russia of bombing not just ISIL targets but also rebels who oppose Assad.
The Western countries’ policies in Syria have been further pushed into spotlight after a group claiming allegiance to ISIL killed 129 people and grievously injured 300 more in Paris on Friday night through a series of gun, bomb and suicide attacks.
ISIL later said in a statement that the attacks were in retaliation for France’s military involvement in Syria and Iraq. France and other European states face a security threat from radicalized citizens, who travel to Syria to aid militant groups such as ISIL and Al Nusra Front.
Security experts fear that many such citizens would be encouraged to stage attacks in their home countries upon return.
By Mary Sophia
Paul Ebeling, Editor
HeffX-LTN
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