Al-Shara: We seek to establish an inclusive transitional government that reflects Syrian pluralism

Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara confirmed that his government seeks to establish an inclusive transitional government that reflects Syrian pluralism, emphasizing the accountability of all those who have committed crimes against civilians "regardless of their affiliation or position".

Al-Shara stated, in an interview with the "60 Minutes" program on CBS, that general elections will be held after the reconstruction of infrastructure and the issuance of official documents for citizens, confirming that the goal is to reach a "democratically elected system that represents all Syrians".

Reconstruction of Syria requires international support

During a tour with the program team in the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, Al-Shara addressed the extent of the destruction caused by the war, estimating the cost of reconstruction to be between 600 and 900 billion dollars, stating that this "will not be achieved without the support of the international community".
He called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, considering that their continuation is a "partnership in the killing of Syrians".

Foreign policy and relations with Russia and Iran

Regarding foreign affairs, Al-Shara clarified that entering into a conflict with Russia at this time would be "extremely costly and not in Syria's interest", but he confirmed that his government would resort to international legal means to demand the trial of former President Bashar Al-Assad.
He also addressed the Israeli bombing that targeted the presidential palace twice, stating that "targeting the palace is a declaration of war, not a message", affirming that Syria "does not seek to engage in new wars nor to pose a threat to any party".

Message to Israel: Complete withdrawal

Al-Shara called on Israel to withdraw from all areas it occupied after December 2024, noting that Damascus "has not engaged in any provocation since the formation of the new government".
In response to Israeli claims regarding the protection of the Druze, he said that this is an "internal issue to be resolved within Syrian law".

Reviewing the past

Regarding his past and his relationship with Al-Qaeda and ISIS, Al-Shara stated that the organization he led "did not carry out any operations outside Syria" and was limited to confronting the previous regime.
He clarified that some events he participated in were when he was "seventeen or eighteen years old", adding: "The level of awareness today is completely different... If I had agreed with them, I would not have left them".