Al-Sharaa calls for 'social contract' between government and sects
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Ahmad al-Sharaa has reiterated the necessity of keeping Syria unified, calling for the dismissal of all sectarian policies and ideologies.
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Abu Mohammed al-Jolani speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on December 8, 2024. (AP)
Syria's new leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, more commonly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, said on Tuesday during a meeting with a delegation representing the country's Druze population that Syria must remain unified.
During the meeting, al-Sharaa stressed that the new government must have the mentality of a country rather than an opposition, highlighting that a "social contract must exist between the state and all communities to ensure social justice" and guarantee a unified Syria.
"What matters to us is that there should be no sectarian quotas or any particularism that leads to separation. We manage affairs from an institutional and legal standpoint, and we strive to achieve the best for the Syrian people," he further stated.
On his part, the Druze delegation confirmed their loyalty to the nation, saying they would only be part of Syria.
Al-Sharaa further noted the need for unity and collaboration among all Syrians given the country's "exhausting" state and the vast scale of destruction. "We need the efforts of all Syrians, both inside and outside the country. It is essential to work with a spirit of teamwork."
He also reiterated that factions will be dissolved and that fighters will be prepared to join the Ministry of Defense, with everyone being subject to the law.
Expanding on reforms, he explained that the country needs to regulate the industrial sector and develop plans that serve food security, claiming "the human resources under the regime were at their minimum, with the regime's nature being poor both culturally and socially."
Lifting sanctions on Syria
In a related context, al-Sharaa met with a British Foreign Ministry delegation to discuss the latest developments in Syria.
During the meeting, he confirmed that what happened in Syria was "a victory for the oppressed people over the criminal oppressors," and that this victory was achieved without the destruction of infrastructure and any displacement.
He pointed out that the previous "criminal regime" destroyed everything, including state institutions, and targeted all sects.
Al-Sharaa also stressed the need to build a state based on the rule of law and institutions and to establish security. He spoke about Britain's important international role and the necessity of restoring relations, emphasizing the importance of lifting all sanctions imposed on Syria so that Syrian refugees around the world can return to their homeland.
On Monday, Al-Sharaa urged the West to lift sanctions imposed during Assad's tenure, arguing that these restrictions hinder Syria's recovery and were no longer justified.
"Countries must now lift this designation. Syria is very important geostrategically. They should lift all restrictions, which were imposed on the flogger and the victim — the flogger is gone now. This issue is not up for negotiation."
HTS, which is an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Syria, remains designated as a terrorist organization by the US, UK, and other countries. According to The Times, al-Sharaa dismissed the designation, stating, "We did military activities," but called the label "a political designation" which was more applicable to the Assad government.
