Syrian coalition against Assad formed: Statement

NICOSIA: More than 40 Syrian "revolution blocs" have forged a coalition to unite their efforts against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, according to a statement received Friday by AFP.

The so-called Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC) said the coalition was formed due to "the dire need to unite the field, media and political efforts" of the pro-democracy movement launched in mid-March.

Forty-four groups signed up to join the SRGC as part of "merging all visions of all revolutionaries from all coalitions and coordinators mutually focusing primarily on toppling the oppressive and abusive regime."

The long-term aim of the coalition is also to build "a democratic and civil state of institutions that grants freedom, equality, dignity and respect of human rights to all citizens," said the statement.

"We announce today the establishment of (the) 'Syrian Revolution General Commission', the result of merging all the signatory Syrian Revolution blocs both inside and outside Syria and those who are invited to join as well in order to have through this commission a representation of the revolutionaries all over our beloved Syria," it said.

The group paid tribute to the "blood of the thousands of fallen heroes" and also praised "the sacrifices of tens of thousands of prisoners of opinion who were tortured, displaced and persecuted" by the Assad regime.

"We hereby renew our vow to all of them that we shall not betray the pact we sealed together not deviate from the path they walked through and sacrificed for," said the English-language statement.

The coalition urged all groups involved in the pro-democracy movement to close ranks and join them "to achieve the goals of the revolution and bring out its voice to all corners of the world."

Those who signed the statement include protests committees from across Syria, including flashpoint cities and towns, as well as The Syrian Revolution 2011 Facebook page, one of the drivers of the protests.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011