Ahmed al-Sharaa Appointed Transitional President of Syria Following Regime Change

Ahmed al-Sharaa was named Syria’s transitional president after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Key reforms include annulling the 2012 constitution and integrating all rebel groups into state institutions. The transitional government will oversee governance until a new constitution is enacted. Discussions with Russia emphasize the need for reparations and reconstruction following the prolonged conflict.

In a significant development in Syria’s political landscape, Ahmed al-Sharaa has been appointed as the transitional president, as reported by state media. This announcement comes seven weeks after he oversaw the rebel offensive that resulted in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Furthermore, military leader Hassan Abdul Ghani declared the annulment of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of the former parliament, army, and security institutions.

As the newly elected president, Mr. Sharaa is tasked with establishing an interim legislative council to govern until a new constitution is ratified. He indicated that all rebel factions opposed to Assad during the 13-year civil war would be integrated into state institutions. This decision was made during a meeting in Damascus attended by key commanders from various rebel groups, including Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, once affiliated with al-Qaeda and still recognized as a terrorist organization by nations including the US and EU, previously held significant power in the last rebel stronghold in north-western Syria. The civil unrest initiated in 2011 when Assad violently suppressed a pro-democracy movement, leading to a brutal civil war that has claimed over half a million lives and displaced around 12 million people.

On December 8, amid advancing rebel forces, Assad resigned from the presidency and sought refuge in Russia. The responsibility of governance until March has been entrusted to an interim administration led by Mohammed al-Bashir, who previously headed the rebel administration in the impacted northern regions.

Moreover, the Syrian government has urged Russia to rectify past errors by offering war reparations, which was discussed during a visit from a senior Kremlin delegation—marking their first visit since Assad’s ousting. Sharaa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov spoke about re-establishing trust with the Syrian populace through reparations and reconstruction efforts.

In light of recent military involvement, Russia has faced scrutiny for its extensive airstrikes on rebel-held territories, leading to significant civilian casualties. As Russia appears to be diminishing its troop presence at strategic bases along the Mediterranean coast, experts suggest the continuation of Russian military ties is crucial to maintaining influence in the region.

Following the delegation’s discussions with Syrian representatives, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue between Russia and Syria. He remarked on the necessity of maintaining consistent communication, although he refrained from commenting on claims regarding Assad’s extradition requests. In an interview, Sharaa affirmed the vital strategic connection between Russia and Syria, expressing his desire for Russia to retain its relationship with Syria clearly.

The appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as Syria’s transitional president signifies a pivotal shift following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. Major reforms, including the annulment of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of prior institutions, have been initiated. The cooperation with Russia is essential for recovery and stability in the region, underscoring the complex military and diplomatic dynamics at play in post-Assad Syria.

Original Source: www.bbc.com