Ribal Al-Assad speaks about the Campaign for Democracy and Freedom in Syria and the dangers posed by Iran at London's Rotary Club

Monday, 17 May 2010 3 more image(s) »Baroness Miller, Ribal Al-Assad, Ralf Land

Speaking at the Rotary Club of London, today, at an event hosted at Dartmouth House, Mayfair, London, the headquarters of the English Speaking Union, ODFS Director, Ribal Al-Assad outlined his vision for democracy and freedom in Syria and highlighted the dangers posed by Iran to the Middle East. The audience included journalists, politicians, diplomats, business people and human rights activists. Ralf land, the President of the Rotary Club of London, introduced Mr Al-Assad and said he was delighted to have him as a speaker. Conservative Peer, Baroness Miller of Hendon, speaking after Mr Al-Assad, said she had found his speech very interesting and thought provoking. She was so impressed that she offered her support to Mr Al-Assad and the campaign. She urged other rotarians to do so as well. The event concluded with a wide ranging question and answer session.

On US engagement with the Syrian regime, Ribal Al-Assad told the audience,

"As many of you are aware the Obama administration are pursuing a policy of engagement with Syria. I welcomed the engagement when it first started earlier this year. I also warned that it was a test for the Syrian regime to change and move towards democracy and freedom and disengage from Iran. However the regime seemed to think that it was a green light to oppress people even more and to strengthen its relationship with Iran. The regime did not act in the best interests of the Syrian people. This has led to renewed sanctions by the US a couple of weeks ago."

Mr Al-Assad highlighted the dangers posed by the Iranian regime,

"The Iranian regime, which is the leader of the so called ‘resistance’, uses proxy groups to have greater influence and control in the Middle East and to ferment trouble in the region, when it believes that it may face sanctions from the international community. It gives false hopes to Arabs in the region that it will help them to liberate their occupied lands. However Iran itself occupies Arab lands. For example in its southwest it occupies the oil and gas rich land of Al-Ahwaz and of its southern coast it occupies three islands which are claimed by the UAE. Iran’s aim is also to create instability in the region by fueling conflict in Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, Egypt and Afghanistan. Over the last few years when there were separate attacks on Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, where was the leader of the ‘resistance’. They were nowhere to be seen. So the Syrian regime should wake up and see the true intentions of Iran. For too long it has given Iran a free hand in Syria and allowed it to exert excessive influence in exchange for economic assistance. As a result Syrian sovereignty has been eroded."

He urged Syria to move towards national unity,

"It’s time for Syria to re-assert its identity and sovereignty by creating national unity where all Syrians are given an opportunity to take part in forming a new democratically elected government, which would only then enable it to disengage from Iran. It is only under democracy with a new constitution will the rights of individuals, groups and minorities regardless of religion, ethnic group or sex be protected."

He explained the aims of ODFS,

The aim of my organisation, ODFS, is to help empower ordinary Syrians decide their destiny by bringing Democracy and Freedom to Syria in a peaceful and transitional way through engagement and dialogue with all parties who believe in democracy as opposed to those who say they believe in democracy but will not tolerate anyone who does not subscribe to their ideology."

He concluded by saying how he believed peace in the Middle East could be achieved,

"People everywhere want peace, security and prosperity. That there is no doubt about. Peace in the Middle East must be built on solid foundations for it to be a real and lasting peace. There must be a land for peace deal where all of the Golan Heights are returned to Syria. The Syrian regime should accept the fact that unless it has national unity, disengages from Iran and returns to its Arab home, peace is not likely to be achieved. There must be a two state solution with a viable, independent and democratic state of Palestine."

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