Syria: Militia Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa Appointed Interim President
Russia emphasized its unwavering support for the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and expressed its readiness to assist in the reconstruction of the country
While little is known about Syria’s political future following the flight of former President Bashar al-Assad and the victory of the rebel militia led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), this and other armed groups have proclaimed Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his “military alias” Abu Muhammed al-Jolani (pictured), “president for an indefinite transitional period.”
According to al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), who was already Syria’s de facto leader but had no official role until now, among the first tasks would be to form a National Council that would be responsible for drafting a new constitution for the country. Once the new Syrian Basic Law is approved, the Council will be dissolved. The Constitution, adopted in 2012 during the rule of deposed President Assad, has meanwhile been suspended, while the Syrian parliament, army and security forces of the former regime “have been dissolved.”
A number of countries around the world, from Europe to the USA, Russia, and China, are trying to rush to reach out to the new Syrian leaders. On Wednesday, January 29, the Russian delegation discussed with the new Syrian authorities in Damascus “the whole range of issues of bilateral relations.” According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, “Russia emphasized its unwavering support for the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and expressed its readiness to assist in the reconstruction of the country.”
Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in the Syrian capital on Thursday, January 30. It will be the first visit by a head of state to the country since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Al-Thani’s visit “follows the announcement of the proclamation of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the HTS, as interim president of Syria.”
Acting Syrian President al-Sharaa is expected to address the nation on Thursday evening, January 30, outlining the principles on which the country’s political, economic, and social future will be based.