SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Syria's leader: It may take four years to organize elections

The Islamist movement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS, is to be dissolved, says Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in an interview. But it may take four years to organize elections in the country, according to him.

» Published: December 29 2024

Syria's leader: It may take four years to organize elections
Photo: Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP/TT

HTS, which Ahmed al-Sharaa is also the leader of, took power in Syria together with other rebel groups earlier in December. They forced the then President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia.

Ahmed al-Sharaa tells the Saudi Arabian TV station Al-Arabiya that the new constitution can take up to three years to complete and that organizing elections can take up to four years. He emphasizes that "all forms of proper elections will require a comprehensive census" which takes time.

Ties with Iran, Russia

Furthermore, al-Sharaa comments on the foreign policy under the new regime.

Syria cannot continue without having ties to a regionally important country like Iran, but these must be based on mutual respect for both countries' sovereignty and non-interference in each other's affairs, he said.

Syria also shares "important strategic interests" with Russia, according to al-Sharaa. As an example, he mentions that Syrian weapons come from Russia and that Russia manages energy facilities in Syria.

Several Challenges

He also praises Saudi Arabia, and hopes that the incoming Trump administration will lift the sanctions against Syria. Furthermore, Kurdish forces will be integrated into the Syrian army, he promises.

HTS has been labeled as a terrorist organization by, among others, the UN and the USA. Now the group is trying to distance itself from its origins in the terrorist organization al-Qaida, and in several interviews, the interim government has assured that Syria will be governed in an inclusive and tolerant manner. Among other things, the Minister of Education has promised that girls will be allowed to attend school.

But many Syrians, not least women, are still skeptical about whether they can trust the promises. Specifically, women's status and human rights are considered two areas that can become a challenge for the new regime.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Thousands on the streets – massive protests await

Thousands on the streets – massive protests await

Top Meeting on Peace in Ukraine Underway

Top Meeting on Peace in Ukraine Underway

Ukraine: Large drone and robot attack tonight

Ukraine: Large drone and robot attack tonight

Testimonies from Gaza: Children walk around without shoes

Testimonies from Gaza: Children walk around without shoes

Musk: Then the First Ship Lifts Off to Mars

Musk: Then the First Ship Lifts Off to Mars

Trump on the 24-hour promise: "I was a bit sarcastic"

Trump on the 24-hour promise: "I was a bit sarcastic"

Tech giants want to train AI on protected material

Tech giants want to train AI on protected material

Dissatisfaction culminates: Giant protest in Belgrade

Dissatisfaction culminates: Giant protest in Belgrade

Urination in the Hot Pot Gave Free Food to Thousands

Urination in the Hot Pot Gave Free Food to Thousands

New Power Outage Paralyzes Cuba

New Power Outage Paralyzes Cuba

Dog shoots owner in USA - "got stuck"

Dog shoots owner in USA - "got stuck"

Starmer: Putin is not serious about peace

Starmer: Putin is not serious about peace

Rescue of Stranded Astronauts Initiated

Rescue of Stranded Astronauts Initiated

The Senate Approves Budget – Prevents Shutdown

The Senate Approves Budget – Prevents Shutdown

Captain suspected of causing another person's death

Captain suspected of causing another person's death

Universities in the USA investigated for racism against whites

Universities in the USA investigated for racism against whites

British Man in Kenya Killed by President's Motorcade

British Man in Kenya Killed by President's Motorcade

Greenlandic party leaders on Trump: "Unacceptable"

Greenlandic party leaders on Trump: "Unacceptable"

UN: Russia has committed crimes against humanity

UN: Russia has committed crimes against humanity

Carney new Prime Minister in Canada

Carney new Prime Minister in Canada

G7 warns Russia – may introduce new sanctions

G7 warns Russia – may introduce new sanctions

Iraq: High-ranking IS leader killed

Iraq: High-ranking IS leader killed

Source: UN agency lays off every fifth employee

Source: UN agency lays off every fifth employee

New Attack in Bombarded Key City in Sudan

New Attack in Bombarded Key City in Sudan

German parties united – billion investment secured

German parties united – billion investment secured

Hamas: Release the Israeli-American Hostages

Hamas: Release the Israeli-American Hostages

Child dies after rape – protests in Bangladesh

Child dies after rape – protests in Bangladesh

Duterte in court in The Hague via video link

Duterte in court in The Hague via video link

Over 30 dead in cholera outbreak in Ethiopia

Over 30 dead in cholera outbreak in Ethiopia

Internal conflicts threaten the Tigray peace agreement

Internal conflicts threaten the Tigray peace agreement

Measles in Mexico – linked to outbreak in the USA

Measles in Mexico – linked to outbreak in the USA

EU sanctions extended - also against notorious oligarch

EU sanctions extended - also against notorious oligarch

Russian in Finland convicted of war crimes in Ukraine

Russian in Finland convicted of war crimes in Ukraine

Trump may cause Portugal to skip US planes

Trump may cause Portugal to skip US planes

The Alarm: One Million Myanmar Nationals Will Go Without Emergency Aid

The Alarm: One Million Myanmar Nationals Will Go Without Emergency Aid

Task: Wants to Move the People of Gaza to East Africa

Task: Wants to Move the People of Gaza to East Africa

Trump urges Putin: Spare Ukrainian lives

Trump urges Putin: Spare Ukrainian lives

Iran in China for urgent nuclear deal meeting

Iran in China for urgent nuclear deal meeting

Protested against Israel – may be deported by Trump

Protested against Israel – may be deported by Trump

Democrat leader wants to avoid shutdown in the USA

Democrat leader wants to avoid shutdown in the USA