The de facto leader of Syria, Ahmad al-Sharaa (known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani), stated in an interview with the Saudi news channel "Al-Hadath" on Sunday that organizing elections in Syria will require four years.
Al-Sharaa explained that preparations are currently underway for a "transitional government that will serve for an extended period." Additionally, he pledged to disband the headquarters of Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist coalition that played a significant role in toppling the Assad regime.
The new Syrian ruler outlined several political stages that will precede the election of a president, noting that a new census will be necessary before any voting process can take place. He also declared, "The liberation of Syria will bring security to the region and the Gulf for the next 50 years."
Since assuming his role, al-Julani has repeatedly called on the US and other countries to remove his organization from their list of designated terrorist groups and to lift sanctions imposed on the Syrian government during Assad's rule. Referring to the ousted Syrian dictator, he described the sanctions as measures "imposed on the executioner" and promised governance markedly different from that of his predecessor.
