Syrian Opposition Delegation in US, Calls Against Normalizing Ties with Regime

The Syrian delegation meets with American officials in Washington. (National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria)
The Syrian delegation meets with American officials in Washington. (National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria)
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Syrian Opposition Delegation in US, Calls Against Normalizing Ties with Regime

The Syrian delegation meets with American officials in Washington. (National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria)
The Syrian delegation meets with American officials in Washington. (National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria)

A delegation from the National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces of Syria and the Syrian Negotiations Commission held talks with Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations Richard Mills in Washington on Tuesday.

Discussions touched on the latest developments in the political process in Syria.

The delegation included Coalition President Salem al-Meslet, head of the Syrian Negotiations Commission Badr Jamous, co-chair of the Constitutional Committee Hadi al-Bahra, head of the Syrian interim government Abdurrahman Mustafa, and members of the Negotiations Commission Ibrahim Berro and Fadwa al-Ujaili.

In a statement, the Coalition said the meeting focused on the need to revive the political process, implement UN Security Council Resolution 2254 to reach a real political transition in Syria, and pressure Bashar al-Assad's regime to seriously engage in the political process.

The delegation underscored the importance of maintaining the sanctions imposed on the regime under the Caesar Act and preventing any attempt to normalize ties with it.

Moreover, it stressed that the tepid response to the regime’s crimes encouraged Iran to intervene in the region and Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine.

The delegation also underlined the need to ensure accountability, seek the release of detainees and the forcibly disappeared in regime prisons, and ensure humanitarian access to Syrians in need.



Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.