Syria's interim president signed a temporary constitution on Thursday, establishing Islamist rule for a five-year transitional period, along with rights for women, freedom of expression and justice for Assad victims.
Syria’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has hailed the start of a “new history” for his country, after signing into force a constitutional declaration.
Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, expressed hope that the constitutional declaration would mark the beginning “a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice … and suffering with mercy,” as he signed the document at the presidential palace on Thursday.
The document says Islam is the religion of the president, as the previous constitution did, and Islamic jurisprudence is "the main source of legislation", rather than "a main source", according to the drafting committee.
It also enshrines separation of powers and judicial independence, and guarantees women's rights, freedom of expression and media freedom.
The president would have executive authority during the transitional period, he said, but would have only one "exceptional power" – the ability to declare a state of emergency.
A new People's Assembly will have full responsibility for legislation. Two thirds of its members will be appointed by a committee selected by the president and one third chosen by the president himself.
Sharaa has promised an inclusive government that will run the country until the new constitution is finalised and free and fair elections are held.
Read next
04:00
Qatari plan
The United States has quietly approved a Qatari initiative to finance salaries for Syrian public-sector workers, marking a significant shift in Western engagement with post-Assad Syria, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
12:47
French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Paris on Wednesday, marking the new Syrian leader’s first official visit to Europe since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad late last year.
21:58
Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a wide-ranging call covering Ukraine, Gaza, and Syria, with mutual pledges of cooperation and invitations exchanged.
08:05
Azerbaijan has reaffirmed its support for Syria’s recovery efforts through a high-level visit to Damascus, where officials explored new opportunities for cooperation and conveyed a message from President Ilham Aliyev to Syria’s interim leadership.
18:20
The Syrian Ministry of Defense on Thursday accused Hezbollah militias of firing artillery shells from Lebanese territory toward Syrian army positions in the al-Qusayr area west of Homs.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment