Participants in the consultative meeting for national dialogue in Syria

Participants in the Consultative Meeting for National Dialogue in Syria affirmed on Tuesday that the meeting's closing statement expressed the hopes and aspirations of the Syrian street in order to preserve national unity, establishing the bases for future Syria as a modern pluralistic country and drawing up the features of the national dialogue conference. In a statement, Hanin Nemr said that the meeting is a necessity for Syrian society which was expedited by the events, and that it opened new prospects for Syria. He said that he had hoped for all opposition groups to attend the meeting because the bar was raised beyond the national opposition's standards, affirming that the meeting's success cannot be measured by how much it satisfied some people. Nemr also noted that the closing statement stipulated for continuing communication and discussions to hold the national dialogue conference, particularly since differences with the opposition are shrinking. In turn, Dr. Elias Najmeh said that the closing statement sums up the discussions and ideas posed during the past two days and constitutes a step ford, laying down the bases for finding solutions in the future. He stressed the need for people to understand the importance of this statement in order for it to reflect positively on the situation, particularly since it calls for calming and peaceful dialogue that acknowledges everyone. For his part, Omar Osi described the closing statement as "powerful by all standards, establishing for future Syria as a modern, pluralistic and democratic country governed by social justice and the rule of law." He pointed out that the meeting is a historic and pivotal point in Syria's history in term of discussions which tackled the bills for the new parties, elections and media laws and amending the constitution. In turn, Baha'a al-Din Hasan called on the street to consider the closing statement carefully, saying that it can be used as an agenda for the national dialogue conference. He added that the statement's articles are in the interest of the street and that they will help put an end to bloodshed and preserve national unity and interests. For his part, Dr. Abdulsalam Rajeh said that the closing statement fulfilled the street's desire and encompasses all Syrians since it's based on reality. In turn, Manar Haroun said that all participants agreed that Syria comes first and the same applies to its symbols, and that the closing statement was reached through freedom and accord and that it represents a start for uplifting Syria. "The Consultative Meeting was democratic… this democracy is new, bold and real… a common formula was reached, expressing the opinion of all participants for the sake of the country so that we do not form a weak point from inside and become an easy target for those outside," she added.