US Formally Recognises Syria’s Main Opposition Coalition as Legitimate Representative of the Syrian People

By

US President Barack Obama has announced that the US now formally recognises the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (“Syrian National Coalition”) as “the legitimate representative” of the Syrian people.

Obama did not commit to providing arms to the opposition forces, or to supporting them militarily through airstrikes or the establishment of a no-fly zone.

The UK, France, Turkey and the Gulf states have already recognised the Syrian National Coalition as Syrians’ legitimate representative.

Obama warned that with recognition comes responsibilities, and called on the Syrian National Coalition to ensure that “they are representative of all the parties, [and] that they commit themselves to a political transition that respects women’s rights and minority rights.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the US had decided “to place all its bets on an armed victory of the Syrian National Coalition.”

Picture credit: Manu Brabo, AP

  • Members CV
  • 9BRi Lobbying Forum
  • Expertise
  • Events & Calendar