DAMASCUS: Syria’s interim president signed a five-year temporary constitution placing the country under Islamist rule during transition.
The decision follows the December overthrow of longtime President Bashar Assad by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Ahmad al-Sharaa, former HTS leader, was declared Syria’s interim president after armed groups met to form a new government.
During the meeting, factions repealed the old constitution and committed to drafting a permanent replacement.
Many Syrians welcomed Assad’s removal, but minorities remain wary of the new Islamist-led government.
Key Provisions
The temporary constitution retains clauses requiring Syria’s president to be Muslim and Islamic law as the primary legal framework.
Constitutional expert Abdulhamid Al-Awak stated it also enshrines freedom of speech and press rights.
Al-Awak emphasized that the constitution seeks balance between stability and civil liberties.
A new committee will draft a permanent constitution, though inclusivity concerns persist.
It is unclear if ethnic and religious minorities will have representation in the drafting process.
Kurdish Agreement
Interim leader Al-Sharaa reached a ceasefire deal with US-backed Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria.
The agreement merges Kurdish forces with Syria’s central government’s security agencies.
The deal followed government offensives against Assad loyalists who launched a recent insurgency.
Rights groups reported hundreds of civilians, mostly Alawites, were killed in retaliatory attacks.
The ceasefire aims to stabilize the region and consolidate the new leadership’s power.
Transition Timeline
The interim constitution outlines a five-year transition period before elections take place.
Al-Sharaa previously stated rewriting Syria’s constitution could take up to three years.
A national dialogue conference last month led to the creation of the temporary constitution.
The conference also called for parliamentary elections, though critics called the process rushed and non-inclusive.
Many opposition voices claim civil society and minority groups were excluded from the discussions.
International Reactions
Western nations remain skeptical of lifting sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad’s rule.
The US and Europe demand guarantees for minority protections and political inclusivity before reconsidering sanctions.
Al-Sharaa and regional allies are urging Western governments to ease restrictions.
Leaders fear Syria’s struggling economy could worsen instability without international support.
The coming years will determine if the new leadership can establish a stable, inclusive government.
