Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, stated that producing a new constitution and holding elections in Syria could take several years. In an interview with Saudi Arabian outlet Al Arabiya on Sunday, al-Sharaa explained that drafting a new constitution or amending the current one would require significant time and expertise, possibly taking two to three years or longer.
Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, under al-Sharaa’s leadership, seized control of Syria earlier in December, overthrowing President Bashar Assad. Assad fled the country and sought refuge in Moscow with his family, aided by Russian President Vladimir Putin. With the fall of Assad’s regime, the United Nations has urged Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham to fulfill its promise of rebuilding Syria into a nation that respects human rights for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
UN special envoy Geir Pedersen expressed optimism, saying, “There is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria… that will adopt a new constitution and hold free and fair elections after a transitional period.” However, al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s reconstruction would take time, noting the extensive damage done under the Assad regime, which had ruled for over five decades.
Sharaa promised to dissolve the military-led governance of his group and transition power to political leaders. But he warned that this process would be slow, as the country re-establishes its foundations. “This is not just about managing the country,” al-Sharaa remarked. “We are in the re-foundation phase.”
The potential direction of Syria’s future government remains uncertain, with the country’s minority groups watching closely to see if the new government will embrace an Islamist ideology. Under Assad, Syria was seen as a protector of religious minorities, including Shiite Muslims and Christians, despite his reputation as a brutal dictator accused of using chemical weapons against civilians.
