Syrian Rebel Leader: Holding Elections Could Take Up To Four Years

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, made comments on Sunday indicating that it could take up to four years before elections are held in the country. This marks the first time he has commented on a potential election timeline following the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad earlier this month.

Speaking with Al Arabiya, and as reported by Reuters, Sharaa noted that drafting a new constitution might take as long as three years. He also suggested that Syrians could see significant changes within the next year.

Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which was responsible for overthrowing Assad on December 8. His statements come as the new government in Damascus is working to assure neighboring countries of its break from its past ties to Islamist militancy.

HTS, once part of the Al-Nusra Front, which is Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda, is designated as a terrorist organization by many Western governments. The group later separated from Al-Nusra Front, focusing on combating both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). Sharaa has been critical of ISIS, calling its self-declared caliphate in parts of Syria and Iraq “illegitimate.”

The group’s rapid campaign to oust Assad brought an end to Syria’s 13-year civil war, though it also raised numerous questions about the country’s future, especially given the significant and potentially conflicting interests of foreign powers such as Turkey and Russia.

While Western countries have largely welcomed the end of Assad’s rule, concerns persist about whether the new leadership will implement strict Islamic governance or transition toward a more democratic system.

In the interview, Sharaa announced that HTS would be disbanded during a national dialogue conference. “Of course,” he said when asked about dissolving the group. “A country cannot be run by the mentality of groups and militias.”

Sharaa stressed that the national dialogue conference would involve broad participation from across Syrian society, focusing on issues such as dissolving parliament and drafting a new constitution.

When asked about the situation in northeastern Syria, Sharaa stated that discussions were ongoing with all parties involved, including the US-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), to resolve any outstanding disputes.

“We reject Syria becoming a platform for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to launch attacks against Turkey,” he said.

He also emphasized that weapons must remain under state control, noting that the Ministry of Defense would welcome capable individuals into the national army.

Sharaa expressed hope that the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump would lift sanctions on Syria. According to senior US diplomats who visited Damascus this month, Sharaa has shown a pragmatic approach, and Washington has decided to remove the $10 million bounty on his head.

{Matzav.com Israel}