Al-Sharaa: It takes between 4 and 5 years to reach presidential elections, and the SDF is ready to restrict weapons to the state

Syrian President for the transitional period, Ahmed al-Sharaa, said on Monday that Syria will remain a republican state with a parliamentary system and an executive government, announcing the formation of a preparatory committee for the national conference, with the preparation of a final statement for the conference that establishes a constitutional declaration, adding that reaching presidential elections may take four to five years.

Al-Sharaa stressed during an interview with "Syria TV" that Syria will not be ruled by one person, but will be a state of law and institutions with a wide scope for freedoms under the umbrella of the law, while working to reposition itself in its Arab and international surroundings in a way that serves the interests of the Syrian people.

Al-Sharaa added that the battle to overthrow the Assad regime was the result of five years of careful planning in Idlib, noting that unifying the factions and absorbing the various forces were two essential elements in this victory.

In his first interview after becoming president of Syria, Al-Sharaa confirmed that the former regime was aware of the preparations for the battle to deter aggression, but that the precise planning and coordination between the various factions led to the success of the operation in only 11 days.

He added: "Some advised me not to open the battle for fear of repeating the scenes of Gaza in Idlib, but the most important thing is that the Assad regime has gone, and this is the most important step towards reform in Syria." Al-Sharaa pointed out that the former regime turned Syria into the largest manufacturer and exporter of Captagon, and also contributed to strengthening the civil war in Lebanon.

Al-Sharaa explained that the priorities of the transitional government included preserving state institutions upon entering Damascus, with a focus on ensuring civil peace. He noted that the way the factions entered the major cities sent positive messages and reassured the population. He stressed: "We have reached safety in terms of civil peace, and individual incidents are at a minimum."

Al-Sharaa pointed out that Syria has human expertise and great potential for progress, stressing that Idlib was not of one color but rather gathered Syrians from all governorates. He also stressed the importance of preserving state institutions upon their arrival in Damascus, with a focus on benefiting from the high competencies in the new government. Regarding governance, Al-Sharaa stressed that he seeks to avoid quotas in government positions, while relying on competence as a main measure. He explained that communicating with different segments of society and expatriates helped crystallize visions that serve the future of Syria.

On the security front, Sharaa spoke about efforts to form a national army for all Syrians instead of the previous army, which he said had previously suffered from disintegration and loyalty to a specific family. He also stressed the need to control weapons and limit them to the state, noting that there were understandings with the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF) regarding this file, with disagreements on some details.

On the economic front, Al-Sharaa stated that the government is working to restructure the Syrian economy and eliminate corruption. He announced the formation of an economic team of local and international experts to develop an economic policy for the next ten years, considering that the great destruction in Syria represents a great investment opportunity.

Al-Sharaa stressed that transitional justice will be a fundamental pillar in the next phase, while emphasizing the pursuit of senior officers in the defunct Assad regime and not including them in any amnesty. He added: "There is a fine line between transitional justice and civil peace, and we will pursue everyone who committed crimes against the Syrian people."

New Arab