Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the formation of a commission on Sunday. This team will draft a constitutional statement to guide the country after Bashar Assad’s removal.

Rebuilding After Assad’s Fall

On December 8, Assad was overthrown, ending 13 years of war and over 50 years of his family’s rule. Now, the new government is focusing on rebuilding the nation and its institutions.

To shape the transition, Sharaa formed a seven-member legal committee, including two women. Their task is to create a “constitutional declaration” that will set the rules for this phase. However, the team has no deadline for submitting its proposals.

Sharaa’s Leadership and Constitutional Goals

Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), played a key role in Assad’s removal. In January, authorities appointed him as interim president without a set term limit.

The new government has already discarded Assad’s constitution. Sharaa estimated that drafting a permanent one could take up to three years. Until then, he promised a temporary legal framework.

Sunday’s announcement followed a national dialogue conference in Damascus. The presidency stated that this step aligns with the Syrian people's vision of a country based on law and justice.

Experts Drafting the New Framework

The commission includes legal scholars and experts from Syria and abroad:

• Abdul Hamid al-Awak – Constitutional law expert teaching in Turkey.
• Yasser al-Huwaish – Dean of Damascus University’s law faculty.
• Bahia Mardini – Journalist and legal scholar living in Britain. She is one of two women on the panel.
• Ismail al-Khalfan – International law expert and Aleppo University’s law faculty dean.
• Mohammed Reda Jalkhi – Specialist in international law, graduated from Idlib University in 2023.

The national dialogue conference called for a permanent constitution. It stressed the need for balance of power, justice, freedom, and equality.

A Nation Recovering from War

Syria’s war began in 2011 after Assad violently crushed protests. The conflict escalated into a devastating war, killing over 500,000 people and displacing millions. It also wrecked the economy and infrastructure.

In December, a caretaker government took control. A new administration is set to take over on March 1 to continue Syria’s transition.