Syrian opposition calls for civil disobedience

[pampango]

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFTRE76F0U620110716

Syrians should wage a campaign of civil disobedience to try to force President Bashar al-Assad from power, an exiled dissident said on Saturday at a meeting in Turkey aimed at forging a united opposition.

The opposition, divided between Islamists and liberals, is holding a "National Salvation Congress" to try to unite behind the goal of ending 41 years of Assad family rule, but is struggling to agree on whether to form a shadow government.

"I'm for anything that unifies the Syrian people and helps our people inside, and unifies our ranks in confronting this illegitimate repressive regime that has usurped power and human rights," opposition figure Wael al Hafez told the meeting in Istanbul.

"The regime cannot deny us our freedoms. This state is for the Syrians, not Assad family's property," Maleh told the meeting of several hundred people.

Great idea and they know better than anyone that the Syrian authorities won't just use fire hoses and police dogs to quell civil disobedience. That much has been proven, but the Syrian people keep on demonstrating. Very impressive display of will in the face of violence.