London, May 21, 2013 – Participants at two public debates in Cairo next week will give their verdict on whether Syria is better off under its current president Bashar Al Assad or the warring rebels.
The discussion, the latest of the New Arab Debates (NAD), will be recorded at the Oriental Hall at the American University in Cairo – Tahrir campus – and will discuss the motion: “This House believes President Assad is now a better option for Syria than the rebels”.
Former BBC television journalist and presenter Tim Sebastian, who founded the NAD in 2011, is moderating the English version of the debate on Monday, May 27th at 7pm. On Tuesday, renowned Egyptian TV presenter Mai El Sherbiny will moderate the Arabic version of the same motion but with different speakers and audience.
Sebastian says the debate coincides with efforts by Russia and America to sponsor a peace conference – but with little chance of success.
“The Arab world is bitterly divided over Syria. Our debate needs to ask where Arabs themselves see the conflict heading? What are the risks of a wider regional war, of extremist groups seizing power, of a protracted crisis that could last for years? And what of President Assad’s future? Despite the tens of thousands, killed by his forces, would Syria fare better in his hands, than in those of the opposition?”
In Sebastian’s session, Dr Yazan Abdallah, Academic and member of The Syrian Dialogue Project will be speaking for the motion, and Mustafa Kamel El Sayed, Professor of Political Science at Cairo University will be arguing against.
In El Sherbiny’s debate, writer and political commentator Kevork Almassian will be speaking for the motion and Syrian actress and activist Louise AbdelKarim against.
The New Arab Debates are a high profile platform to encourage free speech and accountability in the Arab region.
Both debates will be transmitted for the second year on Deutsche Welle TV in Arabic and English along with its global network of partner channels. The Arabic debate will also be transmitted by the following Egyptian channels: ONTV and AlKahera Wal Nas.