The leader of the new administration in Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, said that holding elections may take up to four years, while the process of writing the constitution may take three years.
Al-Sharaa confirmed in an interview with Al-Arabiya channel on Sunday that “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham” will be dissolved, while “the Ministry of Defense will include Kurdish forces in its ranks.”
Al-Sharaa said that the current stage is preliminary to an interim government for a longer period. He continued, “Syria needs about a year for the citizen to experience radical service changes. I do not consider myself the liberator of Syria. Everyone who made sacrifices liberated the country.” He believed that the Syrian people saved themselves.
He also added that the factions took great care to avoid casualties or displacement during the liberation process. He said: “We tried hard to make the transfer of power smooth.”
In addition, he considered that “the liberation of Syria guarantees the security of the region and the Gulf for the next fifty years.” He explained that preparing and writing a new constitution in the country may take about 3 years, and organizing elections may also require 4 years.
He pointed out that “any proper elections will need to conduct a comprehensive population census,” which requires time.
He also considered that the country today is in the stage of rebuilding the law, stressing that the “National Dialogue Conference” will bring together all components of society, and will form specialized committees and will also witness a vote. He suggested that “Syria needs a year for the citizen to see radical service changes.”
Regarding the demonstrations, he stressed that it is the legitimate right of any citizen to express his opinion, without prejudice to institutions
As for the appointments of one color in the current transitional government, Al-Sharaa explained that this step came because the stage requires harmony between the new authority. He said: “The current form of appointments was one of the necessities of this stage and does not exclude anyone.” He also considered that “quotas in this period would have destroyed the transitional work.”
Regarding some of the retaliatory operations that took place, he indicated that they were “less than expected compared to the scale of the crisis,” adding that “the previous regime created huge divisions within Syrian society,” but he stressed that “there is no anxiety inside Syria, as the Syrians coexist.”
He stressed that all perpetrators of crimes will receive their punishment. He also pointed out that the new authority will run the country with a state mentality, stressing that “Syria will not be a source of inconvenience to anyone.”
He also reported that the current administration is negotiating with the “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF) to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria, and later annex it to the government armed forces. He stressed that the Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian components, stressing that there will be no division of the country.
In addition, he expressed his hope that the new US administration headed by Donald Trump would lift sanctions on the country.
Regarding the recent Saudi statements, he considered that they were very positive, and stressed that the Kingdom seeks stability in Syria. He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has major investment opportunities in Syria. He said: “I am proud of everything Saudi Arabia has done for Syria, and it has a great role in the future of the country.”
He also expressed his pride in being born in Riyadh, explaining that he “lived until the age of seven in the Saudi capital and longs to visit it again.”
Regarding Iran, he hoped that Tehran would reconsider its interventions in the region and reconsider its policies. He also added that “a wide segment aspires to a positive Iranian role in the region.”
In addition, he explained that the Military Operations Department “did its duty towards the Iranian headquarters despite the wounds.” He said: “We expected positive statements from Tehran.”
While he stressed that he does not want Russia to exit in a way that does not befit its relationship with Syria, adding that “Russia is the second most powerful country in the world and has great importance.” He also considered that Damascus has strategic interests with Moscow.
Last updated: December 29, 2024 – 18:24
Suggest a correction