Ahmed al-Sharaa Assumes Presidency in Syria’s Transitional Phase

Ahmed al-Sharaa has been appointed as Syria’s transitional president, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Major reforms include the cancellation of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of former regime institutions. Sharaa plans to form an interim legislative council while integrating former rebel factions into state structures. Discussions with Russia regarding reconstruction and trust-building are also underway as the country navigates the aftermath of the civil war.

Ahmed al-Sharaa has been appointed as the transitional president of Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. This announcement was made by state media seven weeks after Sharaa spearheaded a rebel offensive that led to the regime’s downfall. Military commander Hassan Abdul Ghani also declared the cancellation of Syria’s 2012 constitution and the dissolution of all former regime institutions, including the parliament and security agencies.

As president, Sharaa is tasked with establishing an interim legislative council to govern until a new constitution is adopted. He stated that all rebel factions that opposed Assad during the civil war are to be completely dissolved and integrated into state institutions. These decisions were revealed during a meeting in Damascus attended by various military leaders from the Sharaa-led rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

HTS, previously affiliated with al-Qaeda and still classified as a terrorist organization by several international bodies, had considerable control over the last remaining rebel stronghold in northwestern Syria. The civil war, ignited by Assad’s violent crackdown on peaceful protests in 2011, culminated in the deaths of over half a million individuals and displaced 12 million more. Following the swift advance of rebel forces, Assad resigned and fled to Russia on December 8.

An interim government under Mohammed al-Bashir, the previous leader of the rebel administration in northwest Syria, has been appointed to manage the country until March. Concurrently, the Syrian government has urged Russia to rectify “past mistakes” and address war reparations, coinciding with the first visit from a Kremlin delegation since Assad’s departure.

During discussions between Sharaa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, they exchanged views on fostering public trust in Syria through actions, including compensation and reconstruction. Russia, which historically supported Assad with extensive military airstrikes, has begun to withdraw its forces from bases in Syria while still seeking to maintain a strategic presence.

In conclusion, Ahmed al-Sharaa’s recent appointment as Syria’s transitional president marks a significant shift following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad. The government’s efforts to dissolve previous institutions and integrate rebel factions into a unified state are crucial steps toward establishing stability. The ongoing dialogue with Russia, focusing on reconstruction and trust-building, suggests a path forward for the war-torn nation. However, the challenges of governance and reconciliation remain significant as the interim government takes charge.

Original Source: www.bbc.com