BEIRUT (AP) — Members of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s own minority sect who are opposed to his regime are meeting in Cairo amid concerns about their fate in a post-Assad Syria.
Organizers say the two-day meeting, which began Saturday, is the first of its kind for opposition members of the Syrian community. Most have either rallied behind Assad or stayed quietly on the sidelines of the 2-year-old civil war.
Rebels fighting to topple Assad are mostly from the country’s majority Sunni sect. Assad is Alawite, a sect combining both Shi’ite Islamic and Christian motifs.
The meeting of about 50 Alawites reflects fear within the tiny sect that they would fall victim to revenge killings and assassinations should Assad’s regime fall.
They plan on seeking assurances from opposition chief Mouaz al-Khatib who may attend the meeting on Sunday.
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