A high-level Syrian delegation belonging to President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime reportedly arrived in Egypt on Sunday from Damascus, in order to discuss the political situation in Syria along with possible peace solutions, according to media reports.
Egypt hasn’t declared a specific stance on the turmoil in Syria, although the country insists that it supports any political solution that will lead to a ceasefire, without supporting any of the political factions. Earlier last week, Egypt voted on two different resolutions in the UN security council, the first of which was filed by France and demanded immediate ceasefire and access of humanitarian aid to all areas across Syria. Also, the French resolution demanded halting military flights and aerial bombardments in Syria.
The second resolution was filed by Russia and suggested almost the same key points as the French resolution; however, it didn’t demand stopping aerial bombardments.
Both resolutions were not adopted by the UN security council as they were vetoed. Egypt’s voting on the Russian resolution stirred anger, particularly from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Russia’s airstrikes in Syria have led to the deaths of thousands of civilians.
Syria and the US held talks in the Swiss city of Lausanne on Saturday, also failing to come up with a shared vision and common agreement. These talks were attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other representatives from countries which have direct influence on Syria.
Member of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces Mohammed Bassam Al-Malek told Daily News Egypt that the security communication between Egypt and the Syrian regime has been ongoing since President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who Al-Malek described as the leader of Egypt’s military, took office. He also said that the delegation stems from the Syrian intelligence unit.
Al-Malek added that the coordination between Al-Assad and Al-Sisi never stops, and that the latter is providing the Syrian regime with arms and weapons. He further added that Egypt made it clear with its voting in the UN security council that it doesn’t support the revolutionaries in Syria.
“On 30 September 2015, Egypt was the only Arab country that blessed the military intervention of the Russian forces in Syria,” Al-Malek added. He further continued that Egypt always attempts to hide its support to the Syrian regime, but its situation has started to become obvious, particularly following the voting in the UN security council.
Al-Malek surmises that the Syrian delegation visiting Egypt will attempt to impose restrictions on members of the Syrian opposition living in Egypt.
The political turmoil in Syria has been ongoing since 2011. Russia is backing Al-Assad’s regime whereas the US is backing factions of the opposition. Many peace solutions have been suggested by the UN security council, but none of them have been implemented.
