Four leading Arab politicians and thought leaders have called for the convening of the second Syrian National Congress in a bid to solve the Syrian crisis.

"This is the only way (out)," said Abdelelah Alkhatib, former foreign minister of Jordan; Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of the Arab League; Mohammad Al-Sabah, former deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait; and Turki Al-Faisal, former general intelligence director of Saudi Arabia, in an article published in Saudi Arabia's Arab News.

The only way to solve Syria, according to them, is to allow the Syrian people to decide their future. "They must be given a voice and a venue away from the regime that has ravaged them. They must be offered deliberative immunity from the terror groups that have hijacked their aspirations. They must also be allowed to chart their future free from regional and international interference," they said.

"This tragic situation would not have happened had the Syrian regime acted wisely, responsibly, and realistically. It did not," they said. "The misery and decimation could also have been avoided had the international community fulfilled its duty and obligations to safeguard international peace and security. It did not. The Arab League, the international powers, the Syrian government — all have failed in their efforts to salvage the national unity of Syria by replacing the bloodshed and devastation with peace and security," the article read.

They said unless the world deals courageously with Syria, the atrocity within its borders will continue. "We will never defeat Daesh, the Nusra Front and their likes as long as there is fertile soil from which they can resurrect and mutate into far more lethal breeds. Solving Syria is not only a humanitarian issue; it is directly related to a victory over terror," they said.

The proposed congress will be open to representatives of all Syrian political and social forces. "If we can bring civil society organisations together with representatives of cities, towns, villages and tribes — both those who fight for and against the regime — we will create a formidable vehicle for weaving a harmonious and solid accord on a political system and constitution that can help the Syrian people save their society and realise their quest," they said.

 An independent international commission should be established for drawing up all necessary procedures whereby this National Congress may fully represent the Syrian people, the article said.

 This National Congress should meet in a neutral location for three months and none but the representatives should administer, set the agenda for or intervene in the proceedings or resolutions, they added.

"The ongoing slaughter in Syria, the destruction of a once great civilization, and the spilling of desperate refugees into neighboring nations are a stain of disgrace on the conscience of all humanity. Allowing this state of affairs to continue deeply threatens the Middle East region and the wider global environment. We therefore implore The United Nations and its envoy, Stefan di Mistura, to dedicate their efforts to the realization of a second Syrian National Congress. It is the only way to save Syria," they said.