Translation by Yusra Ahmed
(Zaman Al Wasl-Istanbul)- The Supreme Leader of Muslim brotherhood expressed his surprise for latest statements of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry when he said that the United States would have to negotiate with Bashar al-Assad for a political transition in Syria and was exploring ways with other countries to pressure him into agreeing to talks.
Dr. Mohammed Hikmat Walid said in his press conference Tuesday that Syrian people who have confronted Syrian regime's brutal killing for 4 years would not give up.
Kerry’s negative and unexpected statements led the State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf to say later that Kerry was not specifically referring to Assad. She reiterated that Washington would never negotiate with the Syrian leader.
Walid explained the local and international strategies of Muslim Brotherhood and mentioned that Shoura Council has recommended to allocate 75% of activities to inside Syria and to concentrate on youth who comprise 50% of staff in the Brotherhood’s institutions. He confirmed that principle was proven when he has appointed Hosam al-Ghadban, who still young as a deputy of Supreme Leader.
Dr. Walid mentioned that Brotherhood’s strategy would be to get closer to Syrian Revolution because it helped immigrant activists to come back home. Besides concentrating on missionary and educational aspects as well as political activities, and they would work hard to distinguish Islam from Terrorism.
Dr. Walid denied the idea that Muslim Brotherhood control the National Coalition and the Interim Government, as how can that happen if only 5 out of 110 members of the Coalition are from Muslim Brotherhood.”
The Supreme Leader of Muslim Brotherhood rejected the idea that the group became weak as a result of working in exile, but in the same time he did not see that being at the top of the political and military scene in Syrian Revolution would not benefit them.
the Supreme leader considered Muslim Brotherhood’s democracy is real and genuine and it started long time ago even before Baath party ruled the country as they were members in Syrian Parliament with Christians in same groups.
The leader confirmed that Muslim Brotherhood has always been moderate, and he is in favor of civil state bases on Islam.
In regard to the Islamic State and Nusra Front, Dr. Walid confirmed his rejection to the Islamic State, and expressed his opinion of the “Caliphate” as it is not related to Islam because it lacks justice and fairness. He welcomed the idea that Nusra front is going to detach from al-Qaeda.
The Supreme leader showed his dissatisfaction with the US-led international alliance that shelling and bombed the Islamic State and Nusra Front, in the same time it ignored the Syrian regime that killed civilians and innocent people to ignoring other terrorist groups like Hezbollah and other Shiite militias which came from Iraq, Iran and Lebanon.
“We support an alliance hitting all terrorists including Assad regime” declared.
Walid expressed his gratitude to Turkish role in supporting the Syrian revolution and hosting refugees, and giving them services much better than what other Arabic countries did.
The Supreme leader was not happy with Egyptian role and attitude toward the Syrian revolution, especially after 2013 coup. He mentioned that Egypt with Russia are still suggesting al-Assad as part of political solution.
In regard to relations with gulf countries, the supreme leader called both United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to review their decision in putting Muslim Brotherhood on terrorism list and mentioned that gulf region in general and Saudi Arabia in particular are a strategic power to all Muslims in the world, mentioning the mutual benefits between the gulf countries and Syria.
In the end, the Supreme leader mentioned that Iran through its support to al-Assad’s regime does not aim to keep the Syrian regime only, but it aims to build the sectarian Empire which could badly affect the whole region including Iran itself.
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