Michel Kilo: Syria’s Prudent Dissident | Al Akhbar English
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Kilo has chosen to work from within Syria, along with other Syrian activists, including Hassan Abdel Azim, Hussein al-Awdat, and Fayez Sara. Recently, he helped convene the Semiramis and Halbun conferences and the opposition past its deadlock. These conferences succeeded in rebutting the regime’s narrative that the opposition was weak and divided and that it refused dialogue. Conference participants were drawn from activists living inside Syria who retained a connection with the Syrian street. It was generally assumed that the regime would take the opportunity and enter into serious dialogue with the opposition following the conference.
Kilo has recently taken strong public stances against armed revolt and sectarianism, ideas which have received some support in certain circles. He writes that armed revolt “will lead to a battle that will be won by the side with more weapons, the side that is willing to use the most force. If weapons are used, then the struggle for rights will turn into bloody barbarism with no aim beyond killing the other.”