Syrian National Dialogue committee holds first session

2 months ago

People wave the Syrian revolution flag as fireworks lit up the sky during celebrations at Umayyad Square following the second Friday prayers at the historic Umayyad Mosque since the fall of the Baath regime and the Assad family's rule in Damascus, Syria on December 20, 2024. [Emin Sansar - Anadolu Agency]

The first session of the preparatory committee for Syria’s National Dialogue Conference was held in the city of Homs on Sunday, SANA has reported. The Syrian news agency noted that the committee had announced the start of its work during a press conference in Damascus last Thursday.

“The date of the dialogue conference is up for discussion with citizens,” explained committee spokesman Hassan Al-Daghim. “Members will visit the governorates, review the various visions and submit the papers, and when these stages are completed, the date will be determined.”

He pointed out that the conference will submit its recommendations to the interim president for implementation. President Ahmed Al-Sharaa announced the decision last week to form a preparatory committee for the National Dialogue Conference.

The Syrian caretaker government had said previously that a National Dialogue Conference is “a cornerstone for establishing the political identity of the future Syria.” The conference is expected to include more than 1,000 people from various segments of Syrian society.

After Syrian factions took control of Damascus on 8 December, ending 61 years of the Baath Party regime and 53 years of the Assad family’s rule, the new administration announced Al-Sharaa last month as president during the transitional period. It has also dissolved the armed factions and security services of the Assad regime, along with the People’s Assembly (parliament). The Baath Party has also been dissolved and the previous constitution has been cancelled.

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