CHP meets Syrian opposition for first time

Loğoğlu told Today's Zaman that the meeting was held at the request of the Syrian opposition and that the high-level delegation was composed of Syrian opposition figures from outside Turkey.

The delegation was led by George Sabra, head of the Syrian National Council (SNC), one of the major organizations now under the newly recognized Syrian Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces.

Syria's new opposition coalition, which was established at a meeting in Doha in November, was recognized as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people at a meeting in Marrakesh on Dec. 12.

After the meeting, Sabra told reporters, “We wanted to meet with our brothers and discuss with them our situation.”

“We already knew that the Turkish government has acted in a friendly way to the Syrian people for 20 months. Now, we have also seen that the Turkish opposition is friendly,” said Sabra, who described the meeting as very important and beneficial for both sides.

Sabra stated that it was of great importance to them to hear the opinion of the CHP. “It pleased us to hear the CHP describe the Syrian regime as a dictatorial regime,” said Sabra.

Loğoğlu said: “The CHP stands side by all Syrian people. The Syrian opposition also represents a portion of the Syrian people. For this reason, it is important we listen to the views of the opposition and tell them our views. We are not only meeting with pro-Syrian regime circles but also opposition circles. Having such meetings is of great importance for the future of Syria. The CHP is following an equal and inclusive policy regarding all groups in Syria.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has stated that the meeting was a belated one. “Until now, the CHP has not been in a contact with either the Syrian opposition or the Syrian refugees. The Syrian opposition's approach shows that the opposition has a wider perspective than the CHP. I congratulate the opposition for meeting with a party that supports the Syrian regime, which tortures its own people,” said Davutoğlu on Friday, hoping the CHP would benefit from the meeting.

Loğoğlu also stated that the CHP will want to hold more such meetings with the opposition and that this demonstrates the CHP's growing role in foreign policy.

In further acknowledgement of the CHP's active foreign policy, Loğoğlu touched upon upcoming visits to be made by CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Kılıçdaroğlu is expected to visit Baghdad in the coming days upon the invitation of the Iraqi central government, whose relations with Turkey have recently become strained over several issues. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi also invited Kılıçdaroğlu to Egypt during Morsi's meeting with the opposition leader in Ankara in late September. Kılıçdaroğlu has accepted both invitations.

The CHP also played an active role in securing the release of Turkish journalist Cüneyt Ünal, who was captured by government forces in Syria and released in November with the help of CHP lawmakers.

Necmettin Erbakan Brigade joins ranks of opposition

A new group has joined the ranks of the opposition amid the clashes in Syria between the opposition and regime forces. It has named itself the Necmettin Erbakan Brigade after the late leader of the National View movement and Turkish Felicity Party (SP).

In a video released on Friday, the new group sent a message to current SP Chairman Mustafa Kamalak, who had met with embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus in January, demanding the SP leader meet with them as he met with the leader of the Syrian regime.

The group, which describes itself as students of Erbakan, called on the SP to cooperate with the Syrian opposition in its struggle against the Syrian regime, which they say protects the Zionist regime, Israel.

“It makes us sad to see that some leaders of the SP are being directed by pro-Iranian circles,” said the group in the video, adding that the revolution movement in Syria is harmed by such circles.

According to reports, the Necmettin Erbakan Brigade consists of 300 people but is expected to reach 500 in the coming days, when more members complete their training.