Syria govt pledges 'rule of law'

AFP | Damascus

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Syria's interim government vowed yesterday to institute the "rule of law" after years of abuses under ousted president Bashar al-Assad, as G7 powers pushed for an inclusive transition. Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which brought a sudden end to five decades of iron-fisted rule by his clan.

Syrians across the country and around the world erupted in celebration after enduring an era during which suspected dissidents were jailed or killed, and nearly 14 years of war that killed 500,000 people and displaced millions.

"We were living in oppression, we were unable to speak," Ibtissam Kaab, a resident of Assad's hometown Qardaha, told AFP. "Whenever we wanted to speak, they threatened to harm us and our children."

The new government's spokesman told AFP on Thursday the country's constitution and parliament would be suspended for the duration of a three-month transition.

"A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments," Obaida Arnaout told AFP.

Speaking at the state television headquarters, seized by the new rebel authorities, Arnaout said they would institute the "rule of law".

"All those who committed crimes against the Syrian people will be judged in accordance with the law," he added.

Asked about religious and personal freedoms, he said “we respect religious and cultural diversity in Syria”, adding that they would remain unchanged.

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) powers said Thursday they were ready to support the transition to an “inclusive and non-sectarian” government in Syria.

In a statement, they called for the protection of human rights, including those of women and minorities, while emphasising “the importance of holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes”.

The new rulers have also pledged justice for the victims of Assad’s rule, with HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani vowing that officials involved in torturing detainees will not be pardoned.

Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, also urged “countries to hand over any of those criminals who may have fled so they can be brought to justice”.

Turkey spy chief Kalin in Syria: Turkish TV

Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin was in Damascus yesterday, just days after an Islamist-led rebel push ousted Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad, Turkish television channels reported. The footage, which was shown on multiple channels including the private NTV, showed him leaving the Syrian capital’s Umayyad mosque surrounded by a tight security detail.

But rumours that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was also in the Syrian capital were denied by the foreign ministry.

“The minister is in Ankara. He did not go to Damascus,” a spokesman told AFP, just hours before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was to land in the Turkish capital for top level talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his chief diplomat.