Levantine National Council dedicated to representing all Syrian Christians: “Our legitimacy comes from the Syrian Christian community”

DARAMSUQ — The formation of the Levantine National Council represents a pivotal step toward securing the legitimate rights of Christians in Syria in the aftermath of years of war and instability. 

In an interview with Suroyo TV during an open-discussion program hosted by Carlos Hanna, two of the council’s founders, Afram Ishak and Waddah al-Khouri, elaborated on the Council’s vision and objectives. 

Ishak highlighted the urgency of organizing the Christian community during the critical period following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad. He emphasized the need for a unified political vision to affirm Christians’ status as indigenous people of Syria. 

“Meetings were convened with activists from regions of Christian presence across Syria to launch a national project amplifying Christian voices and ensuring their role in rebuilding Syria,” Ishak explained. 

Al-Khouri added that the Council’s mission is to empower Christians in Syria’s political and civil spheres, defend their national, religious, and cultural rights, and uphold their historical role in establishing a state rooted in citizenship. 

Al-Khouri underscored the Council’s focus on fostering state neutrality toward diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. He emphasized the importance of religious and cultural pluralism as a cornerstone of national unity while preserving Christian identity, native languages, and religious traditions. 

The Council plans to establish its headquarters in Daramsuq (Damascus) and open branches in Christian-majority areas, with preparations underway for a founding conference. 

Addressing Misconceptions and Defining Goals 

Al-Khouri denied any connection between the Council’s formation and recent violence in Syria’s coastal and Druze-majority regions. He clarified that the Council’s creation was prompted by the fall of the Assad regime, with its establishment formalized a week later. 

Ishak noted the Council’s inclusive name reflects its aim to unite Christian institutions and figures across Syria. “Levantine” refers to Eastern Christians as native stakeholders committed to rebuilding Syria, al-Khouri added. 

The Council aims to represent all Christian societal groups, including close collaboration with Daramsuq Church leaders who have expressed their support. While rejecting negative foreign interference, the founders welcomed international support for reconstruction efforts. 

Ishak identified emigration as the greatest challenge facing Syria’s Christian community, stressing that other issues can be addressed through collective action. 

The Council’s founders urged expatriate Christians to support its mission, assist those wishing to return to Syria, and participate in the upcoming founding conference. 

“Our legitimacy comes from the Syrian Christian community,” al-Khouri stated, adding that the Council is dedicated to representing Christians throughout Syrian territory while upholding the unity of Syria’s land and people.