Tlass 'should form a Champs-Elysées Brigade'

Tlass 'should form a Champs-Elysées Brigade'

The Guardian

"Defected Syrian general Manaf Tlass "wants to show himself as Rambo", Adnan al-Shama'a, coordinator of the military councils in Syria, told the Guardian today. Speaking to our colleague Mona Mahmood from a mobile phone, he poured scorn on the idea that Tlass might take on a combat role with the rebel fighters.

It is really funny. He does not have any popularity or supporters inside Syria. He wants to show himself as Rambo, though he has done nothing on the ground. He was [president] Bashar's friend and then he decided to defect.
He disappeared for two weeks and then showed up to declare his defection – which in reality is fleeing more than defecting. When he appeared on al-Arabiya TV channel he did not bother to put the flag of the Syrian revolution behind him and did not dare to say one word in criticism of Bashar al-Assad.
Manaf Tlass is a son of a minister of defence and a friend of a criminal [Assad] – which is not a merit but a stain. People inside Syria do not accept him. Those officers who defect from the regime do not have the right to tell the command of the revolution who is to be the leader. It is the command itself who decides.
It is a sinking ship and everyone is trying to jump off. He wants people to be grateful to him for his fleeing. It it would be better for him to form a Champs-Elysées Brigade in Paris.
His home town is Rastan but no one in Rastan is in favour of him. These people still can't understand that this is not a coup but a people's revolution and they have to forget about what positions they can get....."