Manama: Syrian President Bashar Al Assad has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria’s future, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the British Prime Minister have said in a joint communiqué.
The communiqué was issued at the end of the first GCC-UK Summit held in Bahrain alongside the 37th GCC Summit.
Theresa May became the first British prime minister to take part in the annual GCC summit that brings together the leaders of member countries Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
“The leaders committed to continue working towards a sustainable political resolution in Syria that ends the war and establishes an inclusive government that protects all ethnic and religious communities, and preserves state institutions,” the communiqué said.
“The leaders reaffirmed that Al Assad has lost all legitimacy and has no role in Syria’s future. The international community needs to be united in calling for Al Assad regime and its backers, including Russia and Iran, to support a meaningful end to the violence, sustained humanitarian access and an inclusive political process.”
The solution to the situation in Syria is an enduring political settlement based on transition away from Al Assad regime to a government representative of all Syrians, and “with which we work to fight terrorism”, the communiqué added.
“We agree to increase regional pressure on Al Assad regime and its backers by heightening financial disruption and economic constraints. We reaffirm strong support for the Syrian opposition, brought together by the High Negotiations Committee, and their vision for political transition in Syria.
“At the same time, we agree to (1) encourage the moderate Syrian opposition to work hard to promote its vision to the Syrian people and international community; (2) ensure that the Syrian opposition remain committed to a negotiated political resolution; and (3) emphasise that armed groups must comply with International Humanitarian Law and minimise civilian casualties.”
The communiqué said that the GCC and British leaders “strongly supported increased efforts to degrade and defeat Daesh in Syria, and warned against the influence of other extremist groups such as Al Nusra, Hezbollah and other sectarian organisations and Al Qaida-linked terrorist groups that present a danger to the Syrian people, to the region and to the international community.
“We express deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria and condemn the prevention of aid distribution to the civilian population by Al Assad regime or any other party,” the communiqué said.
