Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared on Tuesday that his country stands at a “historic opportunity” to rebuild following the downfall of the Assad regime. Addressing hundreds of Syrians gathered at the presidential palace in Damascus, Sharaa said Syria liberated itself “on its own” and that “it suits it to build itself on its own,” urging unity among armed groups under a single command.
Attendees convened for a one-day national dialogue summit which was meant to address a range of topics, from transitional justice and constitutional principles to Syria’s future economic model and civil society. Organizers say the recommendations, to be finalized by the end of the day, will help guide a constitutional declaration for a new governing order, set to be enacted by a transitional government on March 1.
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Supporters herald the summit as a dramatic departure from the decades-long reign of Bashar Assad and his father, Hafez Assad, noting that political dissent was long repressed by a prison system notorious for targeting opposition. Critics, however, point to what they see as rushed planning, lack of minority representation, and the heavy influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—the Islamist rebel group that toppled Assad last year and named Sharaa as interim president.
Foreign diplomats, including three envoys stationed in Syria, note that full international recognition of Syria’s new leaders—and the potential removal of sanctions—depends on how inclusive the political process will be. Yet no diplomats were invited to the summit, and offers of technical assistance from the United Nations were not taken up. Meanwhile, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani criticized lingering international sanctions, accusing foreign powers of using them to pressure the Syrian people.