Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, this week met with Mr Alojz Peterle MEP, Former Prime Minister of free Slovenia and a Member of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Mr Peterle was among those who led Slovenia to independence from Communist Yugoslavia.They had a comprehensive discussion about ending the repression in Syria and bringing peaceful democratic reform. The meeting was a part of a series of meetings that Ribal had with senior members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum, senior policy advisers and officials from the European Commission.

Commenting on the meeting, Ribal, said:

“I was delighted and honoured to meet Mr Peterle. I highlighted the dangers of extremism and sectarianism, which could lead to a civil war in Syria and a wider regional war. We had an excellent discussion about the role the EU can play in helping to end the repression in Syria and in supporting democratic development there. I welcome his and the EU’s support for the legitimate demands of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity. I look forward to working with Mr Peterle and the EU to bring peaceful transitional democratic reform in Syria.”