Defected general calls for rebuilding free Syria, rejects ‘criminal’ violence
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
By AL ARABIYA
Defected Syrian Brigadier-General Manaf Tlas called on Syrians to unite and look towards a post-revolutionary Syria, in a statement broadcast exclusively on Al Arabiya late Tuesday.
“I speak to you as a defected member of the Syrian army, who refuses criminal violence … I speak to you as one of the sons of Syria,” Tlas said in the statement. The former general was believed to be speaking from Paris.
“Honorable Syrian army officers do not accept the criminal acts in Syria … Allow me to serve Syria after [President Bashar] al-Assad’s era.
“I speak to you as a defected member of the Syrian army, who refuses criminal violence … I speak to you as one of the sons of Syria,” Tlas said in the statement. The former general was believed to be speaking from Paris.
“Honorable Syrian army officers do not accept the criminal acts in Syria … Allow me to serve Syria after [President Bashar] al-Assad’s era.
“We must all unite to serve Syria and promote stability in the country, rebuilding a free and democratic Syria.”
“Allow me to call on a united Syria,” Tlas added.
Tlas became the first member of Assad’s inner circle to defect since the uprising against the government began 16 months ago.
Activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said earlier this week that more than 2,750 people have been killed in Syria so far this month, bringing the death toll since the conflict began to more than 19,000.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced the defection of Tlas at a Friends of Syria meeting on July 6 in Paris. The son of ex-Defense Minister Mustapha Tlas, he headed Brigade 105 in the Revolutionary Guard, according to the pro-government website Syria Steps.
“Regime insiders and the military establishment are starting to vote with their feet,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of the defection. “Those who have the closest knowledge of Assad’s actions and crimes are moving away, and we think that’s a very promising development.”
Tlas is in Paris with his family and had so far refused to speak publically. French President Francois Hollande confirmed earlier in July his presence in the country.
Fabius later said that Paris was aware that Tlas was in talks with the Syrian opposition about a possible role in efforts to oust Assad.
“Allow me to call on a united Syria,” Tlas added.
Tlas became the first member of Assad’s inner circle to defect since the uprising against the government began 16 months ago.
Activist group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said earlier this week that more than 2,750 people have been killed in Syria so far this month, bringing the death toll since the conflict began to more than 19,000.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced the defection of Tlas at a Friends of Syria meeting on July 6 in Paris. The son of ex-Defense Minister Mustapha Tlas, he headed Brigade 105 in the Revolutionary Guard, according to the pro-government website Syria Steps.
“Regime insiders and the military establishment are starting to vote with their feet,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of the defection. “Those who have the closest knowledge of Assad’s actions and crimes are moving away, and we think that’s a very promising development.”
Tlas is in Paris with his family and had so far refused to speak publically. French President Francois Hollande confirmed earlier in July his presence in the country.
Fabius later said that Paris was aware that Tlas was in talks with the Syrian opposition about a possible role in efforts to oust Assad.
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