The only report available online so far on the meeting of the Damascus Declaration (DD) on April 6th to discuss their official response to the National Salvation Front (NSF) is a brief report published in al-Ra'i al-'Aam, that was posted on the opposition website Ahrar Syria (Arabic, 4/7/06). According to this report, the temporary committee of the DD has decided to "end its relationship" with the Muslim Brotherhood because of its alliance with former Syrian VP Abdel Halim Khaddam.
The report said that the temporary committee sought to find a mechanism to remove the MB without using language such as "expelling" or "discharging."
Prior to the session last night, the spokesman for the opposition parties that make up the National Democratic Gathering, Hasan Abdel Azim, said that the meeting was focused on finding a proper framework to end the DD's relationship with the MB. He clarified that the matter was not procedural, as the DD is not a party, and is not in a position to expel anyone from its ranks.
Abdel Azim was quoted as saying, "we will discuss in our meeting finding a mechanism on how to deal with forces that do not adhere to the Declaration." He added, "whoever becomes part of the DD gets to name a representative to the temporary committee. It is also possible that any group that steps outside the principles of the DD would no longer have a representative to attend the meetings of the temporary committee of the Declaration."
The MB has defended their alliance with Khaddam on the basis that he has abandoned the policy of the Syrian regime and has criticized the policies of the regime and the current situation in the country.
Comments