Syrian National Council
| File:Flag of Syria.svg Logo - of the National Council of Syria | |
| Abbreviation | SNC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2011 |
| Purpose | Opposition to President Bashar al-Assad |
| Headquarters | Istanbul, Turkey |
Region served | Syria |
Membership | 115–120 |
Chairman | Burhan Ghalioun |
Parent organization | Syrian opposition groups |
The Syrian National Council (al-Majlis al-Waṭani al-Suri) or SNC[1] is a Syrian opposition coalition created during the 2011 Syrian uprising against the government of Bashar al-Assad.[2][3]
Background
The National Council of Syria (Arabic: المجلس الوطني السوري) was originally formed in 2005[4] to protest against the Assad regime. When the Arab Spring broke out, Syrian protesters began consolidating numerous opposition councils.
The SNC's formation was announced in the city of Istanbul, Turkey on 23 August 2011 and its intended purpose is to "represent the concerns and demands of the Syrian people".[2][3] Yaser Tabbara, a spokesman for the council, said the membership of the council would include 115 to 120 members from all Syrian opposition groups, including the now defunct National Council of Syria. It has so far unveiled the names of 71 members, mostly in exile. On 2 October 2011, the council formally declared its organizational affiliations and structure, to include a General Assembly, a General Secretariat and an Executive Board of 6-7 people, not yet named.[5]
Membership
Paris-based Syrian academic Burhan Ghalioun has served as its most prominent spokesperson and was named in September 2011 as chair of the council.[6][7]
The SNC is supported by the exiled Syrian wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, the Damascus Declaration's exile wing, the Assyrian Democratic Organization, some Kurdish dissidents, as well as by several independent Syrian dissidents and the Local Coordination Committees, a group involved in advertising and coordinating demonstrations. Most members are based in exile, although the council seeks to attract support from inside the country, and says it wants to preserve the anonymity of supporters in Syria. The SNC itself claims to represent approximately 60 percent of the Syrian opposition.[8] The SNC's formation has met with mixed reactions and some criticism from the other main Syrian opposition coalition, the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, which comprises mostly secular leftist and nationalist groups, independent dissidents, and some Kurdish parties, all of them largely based inside Syria.[9][10] The only Kurdish party from inside Syria to have declared itself an affiliate of the SNC is the Kurdish Future Movement Party under the leadership of Mashaal Tammo, who was assassinated shortly after the announcement in the northeastern city of Qamishli.[11]
Support and recognition
Only three UN member states, France, Spain, and Libya have stated that they recognize the Syrian National Council, though several others have welcomed its formation. The Egyptian opposition group National Democratic Alliance for Egypt has also recognized the council as Syria's legitimate representative.[12] The council itself has asked for international recognition, but denies that it seeks to play the role of a government-in-exile.[8]
| Rank | Entity | Date/Status of recognition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Libya[13] |
Recognised on 19 October 2011 (as legitimate authority) |
"The National Transitional Council has decided after a meeting today to recognise the Syrian National Council as the sole legitimate government in Syria," NTC member Mussa al-Koni said on 10 October. Koni also announced the closure of the Syrian Embassy in Tripoli.[13] On 19 October, the NTC formally announced its recognition of the SNC as Syria's "legitimate authority".[14] The NTC promised the representatives of SNC to hand them over the embassy of Syria in Tripoli.[15]
The Libyan NTC also announced that it had been in talks with the Syrian National Council and was considering supplying weapons and volunteer fighters of the National Liberation Army to the Free Syrian Army.[16] |
| 2 |  France[17] |
Recognised on 21 November 2011 (as partner for dialogue) |
"The Syrian National Council is the legitimate interlocutor with which we will continue to work," French foreign minister Alain Juppe stated on November 21, 2011. |
| 3 |  Spain[18][19] |
Recognised on 23 November 2011 (as partner for dialogue) |
Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez confirmed that the Spanish government will look to SNC to discuss issues concerning Syria, and that the channels of dialogue with the Syrian regime have been closed. Jiménez said "Spain support for the SNC as the main interlocutor of the Syrian people, who are seeking freedom and democracy". |
See also
- Arab Spring
- National Council for the Forces of the Peaceful Revolution (Yemen)
- National Transitional Council (Libya)
References
- ^ the CNN Wire Staff (23 August 2011). "Syrian activists form a 'national council'". CNN. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Yezdani, Ipek (23 August 2011). "Syrian dissidents form national council". World Wires. Miami Herald Media. Retrieved 24 August 2011.[dead link]
- ^ a b Yezdani, İpek (2011-08-23). "Syrian dissidents form national council". The Edmond Sun. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ SNC on Facebook (20 August 2011). "قريبا موقع / المجلس الوطني السوري". Retrieved 26 August 2011.
{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^ "Syria opposition launches national council in İstanbul". Todayszaman.com. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Sorbonne professor appointed head of Syrian opposition council". RIA Novosti. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Syrian opposition launches joint National Council". BBC News. 2 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Syrian council wants recognition as voice of opposition". Reuters. 2011-10-10. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Syria Internal Opposition tried hard to Unite". DayPress. 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ Phil Sands (2010-05-25). "Syrian dissidents gather in Damascus to build unity". The National. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Syrian Kurdish Activist Meshal Tammo killed in Qamishli". DayPress. 2011-10-07. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
- ^ "Egypt's largest political bloc recognizes Syria's opposition council". Al Arabiya. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Libya NTC says recognises Syrian National Council". Khaleej Times. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ Jaffe, Greg (19 October 2011). "New Libyan government recognizes Syrian opposition council". The Washington Post. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ^ İpek Yezdani (20 October 2011). "Syria dissidents secure Libya embassy promise". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ http://www.smh.com.au/world/libya-to-arm-rebels-in-syria-20111126-1o088.html%7Cname = Libya to arm syrian rebels| access date = November 27 2011| date = November 27 2011| agency = Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Andrew Rettman (24 October 2011). "France recognises Syrian council, proposes military intervention". EUObserwer. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
- ^ "Spain considered Syrian National Council, representative for the dialogue with the Syrian people". LCC Syria. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
- ^ "Spain Considers the SNC the Representative of the Syrian People". Syrian National Council. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
External links
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