Albawaba.com
Damascus
Sources close to the Syrian deputy and leading businessman, Riadh Seif, denied as baseless rumors that the politician fled Damascus after announcing the establishment of his Social Peace Party.
The sources claimed that the rumor was spread by Seif’s opponents who have recently gathered at the National Dialogue Forum, which was also attended by a group of Syrians opposed to Seif’s orientations. Some of the participants complained that Seif had prematurely announced his party without prior consultations with them.
Seif announced his party at a symposium held at his residence last Wednesday, attended by a large number of Syrian figures. Seif said that his party would “include a generation of young Syrians deprived of democracy,” adding that the principles of his party would be announced next Wednesday at an open forum.
Differences arose publicly between Seif and a number of the founders of the National Dialogue Forum such as Michael Kilo, a Syrian journalist. Aref Dalilah, one of the forum’s leading activists, tried to prevent the escalation of the debate into confrontation, despite the fact that he did not personally support Seif’s decision to declare his party.
Observers believe that the long-waited parties’ law will soon be passed in Syria, and Seif’s party will be licensed.
