.jpeg)
_bernard_polidano.jpg)
Syrian opposition groups sign pact for democracy
Two leading Syrian opposition parties agree on a road map to democracy if mass protests succeed in toppling President Bashar al-Assad.
The UN says more than 5000 people have been killed since the uprising in Syria began in March.
The leading opposition group in exile, the Syrian National Council (SNC), has signed an accord with the National Coordination Committee, an opposition group inside Syria opposed the SNC's initial calls for foreign intervention.
The two opposition groups said they reject any military intervention that harms the sovereignty or stability of Syria, without considering Arab intervention to be foreign.
Earlier this week pro-democracy activists in Syria expressed pessimism that Arab League observers visiting the country can halt Assad's nine-month crackdown on the protests. The activists called for Arab countries to take tougher measures to stop the bloodshed.
The deal outlines a one-year transitional period, which could be renewed if necessary. In this period, Syria will adopt a new constitution "that ensures a parliamentary system for a democratic, pluralistic civil state and guarantees the exchange of power through elections for a parliament and president of the republic."
The document says the deal will be presented to other opposition groups at a conference in January 2012. It also states religious freedom will be guaranteed by the new constitution and condemns any signs of sectarianism.
Opposition groups have come under criticism for not condemning sectarianism more openly and seeking full religious freedoms.
The agreement calls for an end to all violence and ethnic, religious or sexual discrimination.
