Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa declares himself president, cancels constitution

Ahmed al-Sharaa has cancelled the constitution and disbanded the national army and all opposition parties and armed groups, in a step toward transitioning away from the era of Bashar al-Assad.

Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace in Damascus. Picture: AFP.

Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has declared himself president, cancelled the constitution and disbanded the national army and all opposition parties and armed groups, including his own, in a step toward transitioning away from the era of Bashar al-Assad.

Mr Sharaa headed Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a US-designated terrorist group that led the lightning takeover of Syria last month, ending 54 years of Assad family rule and marking a new alignment in the Middle East. He has been pushing for the removal of economic sanctions on Syria during the Assad rule by the US, Europe and the United Nations.

Following their takeover of Damascus, the rebels introduced a general amnesty for army conscripts, asked police to stay on duty, and ordered former officials to identify themselves to the new authorities in exchange for safe treatment.

Mr Sharaa said last month that it could take up to three months to draft a new constitution and four years to hold elections. A meeting of representatives of Syria’s diverse communities meant to hash out the transition was expected to begin earlier this month but has been delayed.

The latest proclamations came after a closed-door meeting that Mr Sharaa held with Syrian military factions and revolutionary figures.

Mr Sharaa will undertake the rebuilding of the national army and security apparatus and form a temporary legislative council for the transitional period already under way until a new constitution comes into effect, a spokesman said in a statement published on state media.

Dow Jones