Ribal Al-Assad speaks about Syria at London's Savile Club

ODFS Director, Ribal Al-Assad today addressed a group of business people, diplomats, journalists and human rights activists at the Savile Club, Mayfair, London. He talked about bringing democratic and economic change to Syria, the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla, and the prospects for peace in the Middle East. The meeting was due to be addressed by Syria's Ambassador to London. However he withdrew at the last minute. Ribal Al-Assad was due to be the group's guest speaker in September but was asked to step in on this occasion.

On replacing Syria's Ambassador as the guest speaker, Ribal Al-Assad said,

"As every Syrian is an ambassador for their country, I'm honoured and privileged to be here today to speak about my country and peace in the Middle East."

Ribal condemned the Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla,

"I echo the words of Prime Minister David Cameron. The Israeli attack on the Gaza flotilla is totally unacceptable as is the loss of life. The blockade must end and Gaza must be opened up consistent with UN Resolution 1860. Humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza."

On peace in the Middle East he said,

"Peace in the Middle East must be real and lasting and therefore it must have solid foundations. There must be a land for peace deal, where all the Golan Heights are returned to Syria. This is only likely to happen if the Syrian regime moves towards national unity, disengages from Iran and returns to its Arab home. There must be a two state solution with a viable, independent and democratic state of Palestine."

Ribal called for economic reform in Syria,

"A lot of people say we've heard that there are great investment opportunities in Syria. It's true but who could guarantee that you would ever get your money back. How can anyone invest in a country where there is no rule of law and no security. Corruption is rife in state institutions. The economy is operated on the basis of nepotism and favouritism. There are a handful of people who treat the Syrian economy as their personal company. Syria must move towards becoming a transparent market economy with innovation and enterprise. There must be an end to state corruption. Then and only then will foreign investment be viable and safe in Syria."

He ended by calling for change in Syria,

"Syria needs a new democratic constitution, guaranteed equal rights and freedom under the law for all religions, peoples and minorities. It needs a free media and a truly democratic process to enable it to determine its own future."