Syrian leader says elections could last four years

(CLO) In an interview with Al Arabiya, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of Syria's new government, said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria after the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

According to Mr. Sharaa, the process of drafting a new constitution could take up to three years, and it will take about another year for Syrians to feel any noticeable changes.

The blitzkrieg by the Sharaa-led opposition ended the Assad family regime, but also opened a new chapter of instability for Syria, where much of the country is still controlled by pro-Turkish and pro-US militias, as well as terrorist groups such as the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS).

Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa. Photo: GI

While Western countries have welcomed the fall of the Assad regime, Syria's future remains uncertain. Whether the group will build a state under strict Islamic law or move towards a more liberal and democratic society remains a big question.

Mr Sharaa also said the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, the main force in the rebel coalition to topple the Assad regime, would be dissolved in a national dialogue conference. Once linked to IS and al-Qaeda, HTS has transformed itself into a moderate force.

In the interview, Mr. Sharaa said Syria has a strategic partnership with Russia, a close ally of the Assad regime throughout the long civil war. Russia currently maintains a military base in Syria.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the status of Russian military bases would be the subject of negotiations with the new leadership in Damascus.

“It is not only a matter of maintaining bases, but also of operating conditions, maintenance, supply, as well as interaction with the parties,” he said in an interview with Russian news agency RIA.

Sharaa also said he hoped the administration of US President-elect Donald Trump would lift sanctions on Syria. Senior US diplomats visited Damascus this month and said they had removed a $10 million reward for the capture of the HTS leader.

Ha Trang (according to Al Arabiya, RIA, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lanh-dao-chinh-quyen-syria-cho-biet-viec-to-chuc-bau-cu-co-the-keo-dai-toi-4-nam-post328157.html