Al-Muhbash: Negotiations with Transitional Govt. are positive, we adhere to decentralized Syria

The Future Syria Party held a meeting on Wednesday at Meshwar Hall, south of Raqqa city in northern Syria, and representatives of civil and military institutions, the Executive Council of Raqqa canton, in addition to dozens of residents, sheikhs, and tribal dignitaries attended it.

The meeting began with standing a minute of silence in honor of the martyrs. Then, Abdel Hamid al-Muhbash, the co-chair of the negotiating delegation in North and East Syria reviewed developments in the political process and the ongoing negotiations between North and East Syria and the Transitional Government in Damascus.

Al-Muhbash made clear that the meeting held with the American delegation, headed by the US envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, was positive and resulted in the formation of two security and military committees that visited Damascus and met with the Transitional Government.

He said that the negotiation process is moving in the right direction from both sides, and that a military solution is no longer a proposed option.

Al-Muhbash added, "In North and East Syria, we have qualified people capable of running the country and participating in governance. However, our demand is not for positions or power, but rather for fair representation for North and East Syria within the framework of a decentralized state."

He considered that the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime represented the first step in the Syrian revolution, but that the road remains long towards building a "participatory democratic Syria for all its components." He emphasized that the revolution "is not over yet and will not end until its goals are fully achieved."

Al-Muhbash criticized the legacy of the former regime, saying that it "left deep wounds in the memory of Syrians and massive destruction that will require years of continuous work to rebuild."

He confirmed that access to governance and administration must come through the ballot box, saying, "Legitimacy emanates from the people, who choose their representatives in parliament, the government, and even the presidency."

He explained that the Autonomous Administration has made great sacrifices and adheres to its vision of building "a democratic, pluralistic, decentralized state and a single national army representing all Syrians."

Al-Muhbash expressed his concern about the growing Turkish influence after the fall of the regime, as well as the expansion of the Israeli occupation into new areas, considering this a "threat to Syria's unity and the its national decision's independence."

He pointed out that "every round of negotiations held between the delegation of North and East Syria and the Transitional Government is followed by a visit from Damascus to Ankara or vice versa," indicating that Turkey is exerting pressure on Damascus in this context.

Al-Muhbash confirmed that the Autonomous Administration asked the United States and France to be guarantors in the negotiations, which was really done, contributing to an improved course of the talks.

Among the results of the negotiations, according to al-Muhbash, is the holding of basic and secondary school certificate exams in North and East Syria, which has significantly eased the burden on students and their families.

Al-Muhbash reiterated that the North and East Syria project does not aim for division, but rather to achieve democracy and justice throughout Syria, saying, "Our goal is not just North and East Syria, but rather a democracy that encompasses the entire country without excluding anyone."

He warned of the danger of what is happening in Sweida city and the coastal areas, affirming support for the demands of Sweida people "within the national framework," emphasizing that "all Syrians are partners in achieving victory."

Al-Muhbash concluded his remarks by emphasizing that "the one who decides the future of Syria is the Syrian people, not those who liberate one region or control another," calling on Arab tribes to be a factor of stability and unity, not a party to any sectarian or ethnic conflict."

J.J

ANHA