(WASHINGTON, DC) – Following a meeting in Riyadh hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces expressed their commitment to the integrity of Syrian territory, their faith in the Syrian civil state and sovereignty over all Syrian territory based on the principle of administrative decentralization.

The following statement was issued by the Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces today after the meeting, which was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

In a response to an invitation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces held an expanded meeting in Riyadh, on Safar 27-28, 1437, December 9-10, 2015.  Men and women who participated in the meeting represent the armed factions and the spectrum of the Syrian opposition at home, and abroad and belong to all of Syrian society, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, Syrians, Circassians, Armenians and others, in order to unite and adopt a shared vision of a negotiated political solution to the Syrian issue based on the 'Statement of Geneva 1', and the relevant international resolutions, and without prejudice to the principles and fundamentals of the Syrian revolution.

The participants discussed issues on the agenda in an atmosphere of mutual respect and a sense of deep historical responsibility toward the Syrian people, exchanged views on crucial issues facing Syria, and briefed on the relevant documents, including the statement issued by the International Group meeting to support Syria in Vienna, on November 14, 2015.

They expressed their adherence to Syrian territorial integrity, and their belief in a civil state in Syria and sovereignty over all Syrian territories on the basis of the principle of administrative decentralization.

The participants also expressed their commitment to democratic mechanisms through a pluralistic system representing all components of the Syrian people without discrimination or exclusion on the basis of religion, sectarianism or ethnicity, and based on the principles of citizenship, human rights, transparency, accountability and the rule of law for everyone.

The conferees pledged to work on preserving the Syrian state institutions, with the necessity of restructuring and the formation of the security and military institutions.

They assured that they reject terrorism in all its forms.

The participants reject existence of all foreign fighters, militias and armed groups in Syria.

They stressed that a solution to the Syrian crisis must be political primarily due to international resolutions and the need to provide international guarantees.

The participants agreed that the aim of political settlement is to establish a state based on the principle of citizenship with no role for Basher Al-Assad in any political arrangements in the future.

They stressed their readiness to enter into negotiations with representatives of the Syrian regime in accordance the statement of Geneva and the relevant international resolutions.

The participants agreed to form a team to negotiate with the representatives of the regime.

The participants called upon the United Nations and the international community to force the Syrian regime to implement procedures for confirming good will before starting the negotiating process.

The participants stressed their adherence to the application of the transition provisions in Syria in accordance with 'Geneva 1', especially the special item regarding establishment of a transitional body provision with all executive powers.

The participants expressed their desire to implement a cease-fire.

The participants stressed that Basher Al-Assad and all his supporters are to leave power at the beginning of the transitional period.

The participants expressed their acceptance and support for the role of the United Nations and the international community to supervise the cease-fire, disarmament, peacekeeping, distribution of humanitarian aid, and coordination of reconstruction efforts in Syria.

The participants agreed to form a single committee for possible peace negotiations with the Syrian regime.