Syrian Opposition Leader Outlines Post-Government Transition Principles

In the event of administration change for Syria, four main principles must be respected, the Syrian National Opposition Coalition president said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — "The transition period should be based on four principles. The first – we should reach stability and create a neutral army. The second — we must attain civil peace. The third – the principle of justice. The judiciary must rule serious punishments of those who committed crimes. The fourth – the recovery of Syrian economy," Khaled Khoja told reporters in the Russian capital.

Khoja noted that the structure and organization of a transitional governing body must be decided by consensus.

Syria has been mired in a civil war since 2011, with government forces battling against multiple opposition militias and radical groups.

Opposition forces supported by the West, desire the removal of Assad, insisting that his government is illegitimate.

Moscow and Geneva have each hosted two rounds of talks between the Syrian opposition and authorities.

At a round of intra-Syrian consultations in the Russian capital in April, the sides agreed on an agenda, defining a negotiating framework for talks on resolving the Syrian civil war.