In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya News, Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Sunday that organizing elections in Syria could take up to four years, while drafting a new constitution may require three years.
The Syrian leader, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, explained that holding legitimate elections is a task that could take up to four years as it requires a comprehensive population census.
Al-Sharaa predicted that Syrians would begin to see significant improvements in public services within a year.
Addressing criticism of the composition of the transitional government, al-Sharaa clarified that the uniformity in appointments was necessary to ensure coherence during this critical phase.
“The current appointments were essential for the period and not intended to exclude anyone,” he said, rejecting the idea of factional power-sharing, which he argued could derail the transitional process.
On protests, he affirmed the right of every citizen to express their opinion peacefully, as long as public institutions remain unharmed.
“During the liberation process, we ensured that there were no casualties or displacement,” Ahmed al-Sharaa said.
Rejecting the title of “liberator,” he credited the sacrifices of Syrians for achieving freedom.
“I don’t consider myself a Syrian liberator but everyone who offered sacrifices liberated the country,” he said, adding that the Syrian people saved themselves.
Al-Sharaa, who led the opposition offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, highlighted efforts to minimize casualties and displacement during the transition, describing the handover of power as “as smooth as possible.” He also stated that a liberated Syria would ensure security for the region and the Gulf for the next 50 years.
Rebuilding Syria
Al-Sharaa confirmed that the transitional administration is in talks with the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria, with the aim of eventually integrating the SDF into the national armed forces. He reaffirmed that Kurds are an integral part of Syria’s fabric, ruling out any plans for partition.
“There will be no division of Syria in any way,” al-Sharaa assured.
“Negotiations are ongoing with the SDF to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria,” al-Sharaa said, adding that the new government would not allow Syria to become a launching pad for PKK attacks.
Meanwhile, the dissolution of “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham,” the main opposition group behind the offensive that toppled al-Assad and which al-Sharaa led, is to be announced at the National Dialogue Conference, according to al-Sharaa.
Syria-Saudi Arabia relations
Al-Sharaa praised recent Saudi statements as “very positive,” commending Riyadh’s efforts toward stabilizing Syria.
“Saudi Arabia has a major role in Syria’s future, and I take pride in everything it has done for us,” he said, adding that he spent his early childhood in Riyadh and hopes to visit the city again.
Al-Sharaa said the Kingdom has major investment opportunities in Syria.
Syria and Iran
On Iran, al-Sharaa urged Tehran to reconsider its regional policies and interventions, emphasizing that opposition forces safeguarded Iranian positions in Syria during the offensive that led to al-Assad’s downfall.
He noted that opposition fighters took this approach despite Iran being one of al-Assad’s primary backers. Al-Sharaa added that he had expected positive gestures from Tehran in response to these actions, but such gestures have not materialized.
Syria and Trump Administration
Al-Sharaa expressed hope that the new US administration under Donald Trump would lift sanctions on Syria
“We hope the incoming Trump Administration will not follow the policy of its predecessor,” al-Sharaa told Al Arabiya News.
Meanwhile, he criticized the United Nations for its lack of action in Syria.
“The United Nations has failed to secure the release of a single detainee or facilitate the return of a single refugee,” he said.
Syria and Russia after al-Assad
While Russia is expected to withdraw from Syria after years of supporting the al-Assad regime, al-Sharaa highlighted “strategic interests” with the “second most powerful country in the world.”
“We don’t want Russia to exit Syria in a way undermines its relationship with country,” al-Sharaa told Al Arabiya News.
Al Arabiya
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