Opinion: General Idris, Moderate figure amid armed opposition

Brigadier General Salim Idris, Chairman of Rebels Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), is widely considered a moderate figure within the Syria's armed opposition, besides his credibility among rebels' battalions.

Since his defection from the Assad army in July 2012 and his leading to the Joint Staff on 15 December 2012, Idris has increasingly engaged with soliciting aid from Western nations since his initial request of specialized training and non-lethal material support from the United States in February 2013.

 The East German-trained electronics professor has addressed the Secretary of State John Kerry, President Barack Obama, and the United Nations Security Council to encourage international intervention and support in the ongoing Syrian civil war.

 In his interview with the New York Times 3 months ago, Idris outlined that continued international support for the Free Syrian Army, including "game-changing weapons," were required as a precondition for his attendance at planned negotiations with al-Assad in Geneva.

 On Wednesday, the General announced his rejection to the Russian initiative in regard to Syrian regime and placing chemical weapon under international custody, and he considered it to be just a lie.

 Idris assured that his fighters have not received any weapons from America and all they have received were in the form of humanitarian aid, food and medical materials as well as some flak jackets, light vehicles and communications equipment.

By Abudllah Raja; Translation By Yusra Ahmed