The second so-called “Friends of Syria” conference recognized in its final statement the Syrian National Council Sunday as the “legitimate representative” of all Syrians

The second so-called “Friends of Syria” conference recognized in its final statement the Syrian National Council Sunday as the “legitimate representative” of all Syrians.

The conference supported the implementation of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s plan, amid calls for arming the so-called “Free Syrian Army”. The conference brought together representatives of 71 countries in Istanbul.

Russia, China as well as Annan didn’t attend the conference. Both countries, who are supportive to political solution to the Syrian crisis, were also absent from the first conference that was held in Tunisia at the end of February. However, Iraq attended the meeting.

Ghalioun: Time ripe for action...

The Head of the so-called Syrian National Council (SNC), Burhan Ghalioun, said at the conference that it was ‘high noon’ for Syria and called on the international community to step up and ‘meet its responsibilities.’ Ghalioun denied reports that the ‘opposition’ remains divided. “We have brought together all of the factions. We are completely united in our aims and causes, and have worked together to design a new constitution and parliament to meet the needs of all Syrians.”

Ghalioun also announced that the SNC will take charge of the payment of “fixed salaries of all officers, soldiers, and others who are members of the Free Syrian Army.”

Clinton and the ‘Broken Promises’

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the "Friends of Syria" conference that Assad had promised to implement Annan's plan but instead was allegedly launching new attacks on Syrian cities and denying delivery of aid. "Nearly a week has gone by, and we have to conclude that the regime is adding to its long list of broken promises," Clinton said, according to prepared remarks distributed by the US State Department.

Arming terrorists a duty!

Damascus on Sunday blasted the Istanbul meeting as a "platform for the enemies of Syria." "Only the naive and those who want to see through the eyes of the Americans believe that this is a conference for the friends of the Syrian people," said Al-Baath newspaper.
  
"The call by (Prince) Saud al-Faisal to arm the terrorists, encourage the bloodbath and destroy infrastructure makes the conference a platform for the enemies of Syria, who are discussing everything but the interests of the Syrians," it added, as translated by AFP.
  
The Saudi foreign minister said on Saturday that "arming the opposition is a duty" because it is unable to defend itself.

The daily accused those attending the Istanbul gathering of seeking to weaken Syria. "This is a regional and international offensive to find ways of killing still more Syrians, and ruining their society and their state, to weaken Syria and transform it into a country resembling those that pander to Washington, Paris, London and Tel Aviv."
  
"(Recep Tayyip) Erdogan speaks of the interests of the Syrian people and forgets that he hosts the terrorists and facilitates their criminal operations in Syria," state television reports.

Syrians' right to 'self-defense'

Erdogan, speaking at the beginning of the conference, said the international community would have no choice "but to accept Syrians' right to self-defense," if the UN Security Council fails to intervene to halt the crisis. Erdogan hoped Annan's plan would bring results but he said "it is probable that the Syrian administration which gave promises both to us (Turkey) and to the international community will use Annan's initiative as an attempt to buy time."

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani also spoke at the start of the meeting.

France's foreign minister said a deadline must be set for the Syrian regime to implement Annan’s plan. "There is a risk of course of dragging out, and we can see the tactics of the regime that is to buy time," Alain Juppe told reporters on the sidelines of the "Friends of Syria" conference.