Syrian lawmaker defects, says Assad reform promises hollow
A member of Syria’s parliament said on Monday he has left the country to join the opposition after losing hope that President Bashar al-Assad will implement reforms and end a crackdown on protesters demanding his removal.
Imad Ghalioun, an MP from the restive city of Homs, also told Reuters his expectations that reforms will be implemented were crushed during a parliament meeting a few months ago, when a colleague was silenced for suggesting members discuss the opposition.
“They all attacked him saying there is no such thing as opposition. If they cannot acknowledge the existence of an opposition, how can they accept reforms?,” he added.
Ghalioun, who left Syria with his family for Cairo two weeks ago, said he could not remain silent in the face of the bloodshed in the country, where Assad’s forces have been battling an uprising against his rule since March.