Al-Khatib: "We're just defending ourselves"

ISTANBUL

Leader of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, has stated that the use of heavy weapons against peaceful demonstrations deepens the crisis in the country.

"We are always on the side of peace however the Assad regime has obliged us to defend ourselves," he told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Monday.
He assessed the latest developments from Syria to AA and said that the opposition demonstrations started off amicably.
"Our demonstrations were peaceful. Protestors were offering cold water to the security forces. One day, the person who offered water to those security forces was sent to his family in a body bag," he stressed.
Al-Khatib stated, the responsibility they undertook was really heavy and said, "Syrians deal with hunger, thirst and unemployment while trying to survive in the past two years. The working life has nearly stopped in many areas. Moreover, arrests kept coming in. Each effort become senseless compared to what they go through."
During his assessment, he touched on Turkey's relief and said, "Turkey tries to provide help in any way. Turkey provides accommodation, medical treatment and relief. Syrian people will not forget any of those help. Some countries do not see the Syria issue as a priority. The atrocity has been going for two years now."
Dissident leader Al-Khatib said that in the scope of finding a peaceful and political solution to the Syria crisis, many efforts were made and he especially underlined the attitude of Turkey towards the issue.
"The Turkish government made so many efforts to persuade the Assad regime about the reforms and recommended to the regime not to kill its own citizens however the Syrian administration turned deaf ear to all. I thank the Turkish government for their understanding."

Reporting by Basil Haffar