Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa Vows to Pursue Criminals and Establish Transitional Justice
DAMASCUS:
Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised to hold a "national dialogue conference" in his first address to the nation since the fall of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa, who was appointed interim president a day earlier for an unspecified transitional period, vowed to preserve "civil peace" and Syria’s territorial unity.
"We will announce in the coming days a committee charged with preparing the national dialogue conference, a direct platform for discussions, to listen to different points of view on our future political programme," Sharaa said in a recorded televised address.
Qatari Emir’s Visit
The speech followed a visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who emphasized the "urgent need" to form an inclusive government during a meeting with Sharaa, according to the Qatari royal court. The emir’s trip to Damascus was the first by a head of state since Islamist-led rebels seized power less than two months ago. It also follows a visit by Qatar’s prime minister this month.
Regional Congratulatory Messages
Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince on Thursday congratulated Sharaa on assuming Syria’s interim presidency. Riyadh was key to returning Assad’s Syria to the Arab League in 2023, after openly championing his overthrow following Damascus’s 2011 crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which sparked war.
Constitutional Declaration and Transitional Justice
Sharaa also committed to issuing a "constitutional declaration" to serve as a "legal reference" during the country’s transition, following the suspension of the old constitution. He vowed to "pursue the criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres and crimes", whether they were in Syria or abroad, and to establish "real transitional justice" after Assad’s fall.
Diplomatic Efforts
The Qatari delegation, led by Emir Sheikh Tamim, emphasized the need for an inclusive government to consolidate stability and move forward with reconstruction, development, and prosperity projects. Discussions with the Qatari delegation touched on reconstruction in the country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.
Conclusion
Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to pursue those responsible for the country’s bloodshed and establish transitional justice. The visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani underscores the importance of an inclusive government in consolidating stability and moving forward with reconstruction and development.
FAQs
Q: What did Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa promise in his first address to the nation?
A: Sharaa promised to hold a "national dialogue conference" and preserve "civil peace" and Syria’s territorial unity.
Q: Who visited Damascus recently?
A: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and a high-level Turkish military delegation, among others.
Q: What was the focus of the Qatari delegation’s visit?
A: The Qatari delegation emphasized the need for an inclusive government to consolidate stability and move forward with reconstruction, development, and prosperity projects.
Q: What is the current situation in Syria?
A: Syria is in the midst of a transitional period, following the fall of ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. The country is devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war, and reconstruction efforts are underway.