UN reiterates need for an inclusive Syria
NEW YORK - The United Nations on Wednesday reiterated that the new Syrian government must uphold inclusivity and diversity to gain legitimacy from the international community.
The Syrian leaders must ensure that “for the unity of Syria, for the regional powers to support Syria, for an easing of the sanctions regime,” the institutions that they’re building “are fully representative of the diversity of ethnicity and religion that we see in the country,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Rudaw in New York.
Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
In late January, Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim president. He then vowed to form an “inclusive transitional government that would reflect Syria's diversity,” hold "free and fair elections," and preserve the country’s "civil peace" and territorial unity.
In March, Sharaa approved a 53-article constitutional declaration that centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates the president be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period.
He also appointed his cabinet later that month, which includes four members from minority groups. However, the appointment process has sparked criticism from ethnic and religious groups, who claim they were not consulted. The new cabinet also includes individuals blacklisted by the UN and the United States over alleged ties to extremist armed groups.
The Syrian leaders must ensure that “for the unity of Syria, for the regional powers to support Syria, for an easing of the sanctions regime,” the institutions that they’re building “are fully representative of the diversity of ethnicity and religion that we see in the country,” Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Rudaw in New York.
Following a swift offensive, a coalition of rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
In late January, Sharaa was appointed as Syria's interim president. He then vowed to form an “inclusive transitional government that would reflect Syria's diversity,” hold "free and fair elections," and preserve the country’s "civil peace" and territorial unity.
In March, Sharaa approved a 53-article constitutional declaration that centers on Islamic jurisprudence, mandates the president be Muslim, and sets a five-year transitional period.
He also appointed his cabinet later that month, which includes four members from minority groups. However, the appointment process has sparked criticism from ethnic and religious groups, who claim they were not consulted. The new cabinet also includes individuals blacklisted by the UN and the United States over alleged ties to extremist armed groups.