We demand general amnesty, return of displaced: Alawite sect in Syria
3 Min Read
Alawite sheikhs issued a statement calling for a comprehensive amnesty for all Syrians and demanding guarantees for the safe return of the displaced.
-
Syrian new government fighters man a checkpoint in Damascus, Syria, on December 9, 2024 (AP)
The sheikhs of the Alawite Muslim Sect in Syria issued a statement addressing the recent events in the country, highlighting several key points aimed at ensuring "peace and security for the Syrian people" in the coming period.
The statement emphasized that "members of the Alawite Muslim sect in Syria have consistently supported patriotism and peace, and we remain dedicated to promoting love, peace, and legitimacy."
Secondly, it called for the issuance of a general amnesty "encompassing all segments of the Syrian people without exception" to heal wounds, move beyond tragedies, and "open a new chapter for the future of our country."
He also called for providing "sufficient guarantees for the return of displaced to their homes in safety and peace," stressing that "it is not permissible to carry weapons, except within legitimate institutions, which would remove fear and terror from the feelings of the Syrian people."
In a related context, the United Nations' Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, emphasized the widespread demand from millions of Syrians for the establishment of stable and inclusive transitional arrangements, as stated in a declaration released on Sunday.
Pedersen called on all Syrians to focus on dialogue, unity, and adherence to international humanitarian law and human rights as they work to "rebuild their nation." He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Syrian people in their efforts to achieve a stable and inclusive future.
Syrian opposition proposes 18-month transition plan
Also on Sunday, Hadi al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition abroad, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum that Syria should undergo an 18-month transition period to create "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections.
In a monumental development for the Middle East, armed groups, now serving as the transitional government forces of Syria, seized control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of war waged on the country.
Al-Bahra, the president of the Syrian National Coalition, proposed that Syria should draft a new constitution within six months, with a referendum serving as the foundation for the first election under the new framework.
"The constitution will say, are we going to have a parliamentary system, presidential system, or mixed system? And based on this, we do the election and the people choose their leader," al-Bahra explained.
