Syrian Transitional President al-Sharaa outlines future plans, says SDF will surrender weapons to state

DARAMSUQ — In his first interview since assuming office, Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa emphasized his commitment to forming a merit-based administration, rejecting power-sharing arrangements in government positions. He stressed that competence and qualifications will be the guiding principles in building the new government.

“There is no legal framework yet regulating political parties,” al-Sharaa explained. “For now, we are relying on individual competencies, and only the most qualified individuals will be part of the new government.”

Timeline for Elections and Electoral Reforms

Al-Sharaa projected that Syria’s transition to presidential elections could take four to five years. A primary challenge, he noted, lies in unifying and modernizing the country’s population records to guarantee credible and transparent elections.

“Without a comprehensive and accurate electoral database, any election we hold will be met with skepticism,” he warned.

As part of the transition process, Al-Sharaa pledged to convene a national conference aimed at forming an inclusive government. A preparatory committee will be established to engage with stakeholders across Syria.

“The conference will address all critical issues in Syria, deliberate on key details, and produce a final declaration,” he stated. “This will lay the foundation for a constitutional proclamation to guide the country’s next steps.”

Disarmament and National Security

Al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria has achieved relative stability in terms of civil peace and asserted that the state remains the guarantor for all communities. While acknowledging the presence of isolated security incidents, he emphasized their limited impact.

“Our priority is to control arms and ensure that weapons are in the hands of the state,” he said.

On the contentious issue of armed groups, al-Sharaa disclosed that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have expressed readiness to hand over their weapons to the state. However, he admitted that disagreements persist over certain details, without providing further elaboration.

Economic Reforms and Anti-Corruption Measures

Addressing Syria’s economic crisis, Al-Sharaa announced the formation of a high-level economic team tasked with developing a new policy framework. He underscored the importance of restructuring Syria’s economy and eradicating corruption.

“A free market and facilitating investment in Syria will create numerous job opportunities,” he stated. “To achieve this, we must provide the necessary conditions, including a favorable investment climate and clear legal frameworks.”

Unity and Challenges in Northeast

Al-Sharaa reiterated his rejection of any form of separatism, emphasizing that foreign powers supporting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agree on the necessity of a unified Syrian state with centralized control over arms.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Transitional Government has called on the SDF to integrate into the proposed Ministry of Defense and the national army while rejecting any form of autonomy in northeastern Syria.

Turkey, which maintains a military presence in northern Syria, has hinted at the possibility of a new military operation in the region, adding to the complexity of the fragile transition process.