Hariri: Formation of Syrian National Coalition Step in Right Direction to Topple Assad Regime

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri hailed on Tuesday the formation of the Syrian National Coalition, saying that it reflects the aspirations of the “free Syrian people.”

He said in a statement: “The bloc is a step in the right direction to continue the popular Syrian revolution and its ultimate goal to topple the regime of President Bashar Assad.”

“The formation of the coalition will help intensify the efforts of the opposition and give an effective push for the blessed intifada of the Syrian people,” he remarked.

In addition, the former premier noted that the coalition also motivates the friends of Syria to increase their efforts to halt Assad's killing machine.

“We would like to voice on this occasion our support for the Syrian opposition and people in their heroic stand against all means of killing and destruction,” declared Hariri.

He hoped that in the end, the people will succeed in achieving their demand for the establishment of a free democratic state that meets their expectations.

Moreover, the statement revealed that upon the announcement of the formation of the National Coalition, Hariri had contacted its leader Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib and his deputies Riad Seif and Suhair al-Atassi.

The Syrian National Coalition was formed on Sunday after marathon four-day talks in Doha, Qatar.

Under Sunday's deal, the opposition agreed to establish a new supreme military council to take overall command of rebel groups on the ground and address the United States' concerns that weapons have been reaching jihadist groups that are threatening to hijack the uprising.