London, March 31 (SANA) President Ahmad al-Sharaa participated in a high-level dialogue session on Tuesday at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, in London. The President outlined the “New Syria’s” strategic shift toward democratic governance, regional neutrality, and economic recovery.
Internal Reforms and the Path to Democracy
President al-Sharaa highlighted the success of the national dialogue, which has already produced a new Constitutional Declaration and the recent People’s Assembly elections, marking the start of a transition period aimed at paving the way for free and fair elections in Syria.
Key internal security measures discussed included:
The Rule of Law: The President reaffirmed that arms are now exclusively held by the state, stating, “It is no longer acceptable for armed factions or groups to exist within Syria.”
SDF Integration: While noting that the agreement to merge “SDF” into the state is progressing, the President criticized the SDF leadership for “miscalculations” and delays, noting that the Syrian state has now assumed the international mantle for the fight against ISIS.
Foreign Policy: Neutrality and Strategic Diplomacy
The President described Syria’s current diplomatic activity as “vibrant,” noting that Syria’s ability to engage with both the White House and the Kremlin is a testament to its balanced foreign policy.
Regional Tensions: Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria has sought to distance itself from the current regional war, stating that the nation has already “paid the price” for past interventions by Hezbollah.
Israel: The President revealed that Syria attempted to reach positive understandings with Israel through dialogue, but noted that “at the last moment, everything changed” due to negative Israeli stances.
Transitional Justice and the Refugee File
A top priority for Syrian policy is transitional justice, which the President said requires a clear legal framework to ensure accountability for all past crimes.
Regarding the millions of Syrians abroad, the President expressed gratitude to European nations for their hospitality. He framed the return of refugees not just as a humanitarian issue, but as an economic opportunity, inviting the Syrians abroad to “invest their expertise and global experiences” into the reconstruction of their homeland.
