DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s new Islamist rulers kicked off a long-awaited nationwide dialogue convention on Tuesday as a “uncommon historic alternative” to rebuild the nation after the fall of former President Bashar Assad and practically 14 years of civil battle.
Some 600 folks from throughout Syria have been invited to the gathering in Damascus, hosted by the brand new authorities led by the previous rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. The group led the offensive that ousted Assad in December.
“Simply as Syria has liberated itself by itself, it’s acceptable for it to construct itself by itself,” interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa informed the convention.
“What we’re experiencing immediately is an distinctive and uncommon historic alternative wherein we should use each second to serve the pursuits of our folks and our nation and honor the sacrifices of its youngsters,” he mentioned.
Syria’s new rulers have promised an inclusive political transition. They are going to be intently watched by Syrians and the worldwide group, together with nations weighing whether or not to carry sanctions imposed throughout Assad’s authoritarian rule.
Syria faces main challenges, from rebuilding an economic system and war-wrecked infrastructure to establishing a brand new structure and justice mechanisms for these accused of battle crimes.
Though incidents of revenge and collective punishment have been far much less widespread than anticipated, many in Syria’s minority communities — together with Kurds, Christians, Druze and members of Assad’s Alawite sect — are involved for his or her future and never satisfied by guarantees of inclusive governance.
HTS was previously affiliated with al-Qaida, though it broke ties and al-Sharaa has since preached coexistence.
The organizers of the Damascus convention mentioned all of Syria’s communities have been invited. Girls and members of minority spiritual communities have been among the many attendees.
The gathering is supposed to give you nonbinding suggestions on the nation’s interim guidelines forward of drafting a brand new structure and forming a brand new authorities.
Syria’s new leaders additionally face the problem of remodeling former rebel factions right into a single nationwide military they are saying ought to management all the nation’s territory. Some armed teams — primarily the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that holds sway in northeastern Syria — have refused to disarm and dissolve their items.
Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned Sunday that Israel won’t enable Syria’s new military or HTS to “enter the realm south of Damascus.” He mentioned Israel aimed to guard Syria’s Druze, a non secular minority who stay in southern Syria and in Israel’s Golan Heights.
After Assad’s fall, Israeli forces moved into territory in southern Syria adjoining to the Israel-annexed Golan Heights and have made clear they plan to remain indefinitely.
Syria’s new rulers haven’t instantly responded to Netanyahu’s warning, however al-Sharaa informed the Damascus convention that Syria should “firmly confront anybody who desires to tamper with our safety and unity.”
Interim International Minister Asaad al-Shibani mentioned Syria’s new authorities “won’t settle for any violation of our sovereignty or the independence of our nationwide choices.” He additionally touted the federal government’s efforts to rebuild diplomatic ties with Arab and Western nations and push for lifting sanctions.
Additionally on Tuesday, lots of of demonstrators gathered within the Druze heartland of Sweida and the southern metropolis of Daraa to protest in opposition to Netanyahu’s feedback.
Nour Alameddine, a college pupil, displayed an indication: “Syria will not be on the market, Syria is united.”
“Sweida is a part of Syria. We don’t want it to be underneath Israeli occupation,” she mentioned. After Assad’s fall, “we wish to be a part of a united Syria.”
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Related Press journalist Omar Sanadiki in Sweida, Syria, contributed to this report.
