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| Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa | Photo: AFP |
Syria has begun the process of political transition with the formation of an interim government. Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been declared the interim president and the country’s constitution has been suspended, according to state news agency SANA.
On Wednesday, SANA reported that al-Sharaa has been granted authority to establish a temporary legislative council, which will function until a new constitution is adopted.
Military affairs spokesperson Hassan Abdel Ghani confirmed the formation of Syria’s de facto new government and announced the dissolution of the country’s armed forces.
“The armed forces have been dissolved and integrated into state institutions,” Ghani stated.
He further declared the dissolution of the deposed government’s law enforcement agencies and other security organizations.
Additionally, the ruling Ba’ath Party of former President Bashar al-Assad, who had governed Syria for decades, has been disbanded.
These announcements were made during a meeting of armed rebel factions in Damascus. These groups orchestrated last month’s swift offensive that led to Assad’s ousting and forced him to flee to Russia. Al-Sharaa’s group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), played a leading role in the takeover.
Since assuming control, al-Sharaa has been governing Syria, and HTS has effectively become the ruling party.
Al-Sharaa has pledged to hold a national conference, form an inclusive government, and oversee a political transition culminating in democratic elections. He stated that the full transfer of power to an elected government would take approximately four years.
Reporting from Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javid noted that the recent announcement provides greater clarity regarding Syria’s future trajectory.
“This administration has been declared to oversee the interim government, but the exact duration of its tenure remains unknown,” Javid said.