representatives in Doha, November 2012. Riyad Hijab is pictured ninth from the left. in January 2016 in May 2016 Following his defection towards the opposition, became affiliated with the
National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, attending its meeting in Qatar on 18 November 2012. However, in January 2014, he withdrew from the National Coalition, in protest at internal divisions and what he described as its "autocratic decision‑making" and factionalism, followed by approximately 43 other members. Hijab was selected in
Riyadh in December 2015 by representatives of political and armed opposition groups as the General Coordinator of the
High Negotiations Committee, the body responsible for selecting the opposition delegation to the
Geneva III negotiation process. In this role, he attended the
52nd Munich Security Conference, where he highlighted the dire humanitarian situation across
Syrian governorates and called on the international community to "lift the siege of besieged cities and areas, release all detainees, and stop attacks against the civilian population." After serving for nearly two years, Hijab resigned from his position on 20 November 2017, reportedly under pressure from
Saudi Arabia, just two days before a major opposition conference in Riyadh. He reaffirmed his commitment to the revolution’s principles, including the formation of "a pluralistic, inclusive government representative of the mosaic of Syrian society that does not permit exclusion." He also stated his belief that there was "no role for Bashar al-Assad and his cronies" in Syria’s future. In September 2018, Hijab asserted that the Assad regime lacked the capacity—militarily or numerically—to regain control over
Idlib Governorate, which was then partially governed by the
HTS-led
Syrian Salvation Government. He pointed to “severe signs of weakness” even among regime commanders under Russian protection. After a three-year absence from public political activity, Hijab reemerged in 2020 as a prominent opposition figure. On 30 July 2020, he took part in a webinar hosted by the US-based Center for Global Policy think tank, advocating for a comprehensive restructuring of opposition institutions. He stressed that "a new security and military equation is being formed in Syria, and its features must be understood and dealt with." Hijab also emphasized the need to strengthen the
United Nations’ mediation role to achieve substantive progress on constitutional reform in Syria. On 6 February 2022, Hijab attended the opening session of the ‘Whither Syria’ symposium in
Doha, alongside leaders from opposition parties, scholars, and
Salem al-Meslet, President of the
Syrian National Coalition. During the event, he declared that “the regime has lost the conditions of legitimacy and must be held accountable for its crimes,” emphasizing that no lasting solution could be achieved while
Bashar al-Assad remained in power. Hijab called on opposition groups to overcome internal divisions and renew efforts toward a unified national vision, highlighting the need to reform opposition institutions to better represent the Syrian people. He also urged the international community to reaffirm its support for a political transition based on
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, while criticizing attempts to normalize relations with the Assad regime. In late November 2024,
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham launched the
Deterrence of Aggression offensive against the pro-Assad
Syrian Arab Armed Forces. The campaign culminated with the
fall of the Assad regime following President Assad’s resignation on 8 December and subsequent departure to Moscow. Hijab publicly celebrated what he considered the victory of the
Syrian revolution. Reports from a handful of news outlets indicated that the French newspaper
Le Figaro had information suggesting Hijab could be appointed to lead the
Syrian caretaker government. However, the information was proven to be false and
Mohammed al-Bashir was appointed to the role by the Syrian General Command. ==Political positions==