Ahmed al Sharaa: I didn’t liberate Syria and the former regime left divisions behind

Ahmed Al Sharaa, the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al Sham and the Military Operations Administration in Syria, confirmed that he doesn’t consider himself the liberator of the country.

He said in an interview with the Arabic Saudi Al Arabiya Channel, Sunday, “I don’t consider myself the liberator of Syria… Everyone who made sacrifices liberated the country, and I believed that the Syrian people saved themselves”.

He added that the factions took great care to ensure that there were no casualties or displacement during the liberation process.

He said, “We tried hard to ensure that the transfer of power was smooth”.

In addition, he considered that “liberating Syria guarantees the security of the region and the Gulf for the next fifty years”.

He explained that preparing and writing a new constitution in the country may take about 3 years, and organizing elections may also require 4 years.

He pointed out that any valid elections will require a comprehensive population census, which takes time.

He also considered that the country is currently in the stage of rebuilding the law, stressing that the “National Dialogue Conference” will include all components of society, will form specialized committees, and will also witness a vote.

He expected that Syria will need a year for the citizen to feel radical service changes.

Regarding demonstrations, he stressed that they are a legitimate right for any citizen to express his opinion, without harming institutions.

As for the single-color appointments in the current transitional government, al Sharaa explained that this step came because the stage requires harmony among the new authority.

He said, “The current form of appointments was a necessity of the stage and not an exclusion of anyone”.

He also considered that the quota system during this period would have destroyed the transitional process.

Regarding some of the retaliatory operations that took place, he indicated that they were less than expected compared to the size of the crisis, adding that the former regime left behind huge divisions within Syrian society.

He stressed that there is no concern inside Syria, as the Syrians are coexisting.

He stressed that all perpetrators of crimes will be punished.

As for the dissolution of the factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al Sham, he said, “The organization will certainly be dissolved, and this will be announced at the National Dialogue Conference”.

He also pointed out that the new authority will run the country with a state mentality, stressing that Syria won’t be a source of disturbance to anyone.

He also stated that the current administration is negotiating with the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) to resolve the crisis in northeastern Syria, and later to include it in the government armed forces.

He stressed that the Kurds are an integral part of the Syrian components, emphasizing that there is no division of the country.

He also expressed his hope that the new US administration headed by Donald Trump would lift sanctions on the country.

Regarding the recent Saudi statements, he considered them to be very positive, and stressed that the KSA seeks stability in Syria.

He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has major investment opportunities in Syria.

He said, “I am proud of everything Saudi Arabia has done for Syria, and it has a major role in the country’s future”.

He also expressed his pride in being born in Riyadh, explaining that he lived in the Saudi capital until he was seven years old and longs to visit it again.

Regarding Iran, he hoped that Tehran would reconsider its interventions in the region and reconsider its policies.

He also added that a broad segment aspires to a positive Iranian role in the region.

He also explained that the Military Operations Department did its duty towards the Iranian headquarters despite the injuries.

He said, “We were expecting positive statements from Tehran”.

While he stressed that he doesn’t want Russia to exit in a manner that isn’t appropriate for its relationship with Syria, adding that “Russia is the second most powerful country in the world and has great importance”.

He also considered that Damascus has strategic interests with Moscow.