Ministers from the Arab League are currently debating whether or not to grant Syria’s vacant seat at the League to the Syrian National Coalition, the official governing body of the Syrian rebellion against Bashar al Assad.
“The discussions on giving the Syrian seat to the opposition are taking place now and there are countries for it and others against it,” one diplomat said on the condition of anonymity.
“I can’t confirm whether the decision will be finalized to give us the seat, but I am hopeful,” coalition spokesman Walid al-Bunni said.
The government in Damascus was formally suspended from the Arab League in November of 2011. The coalition has already requested the seat, but this was initially opposed by Iraq, Algeria and Lebanon. Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour has called for the removal of Syria’s suspension from the League in order to create a dialogue with the Assad regime and find a political solution to the conflict. “Communication with Syria…is essential for a political solution,” Mansour said at an Arab League meeting.
