Syrian President Ahmed Shara chaired the first People's Assembly session convened after the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The session, attended by elected members and 70 members appointed by Shara, was held after a delay of about a week.
Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais were also present at the session. At this ceremonial first session, deputies took the oath and numerous foreign embassy representatives attended as guests of honour.
With the 70 members appointed by President Shara taking office, the total number of assembly members rose from 140 to 210. The seat of the deceased Idlib deputy and the three seats allocated to Suwayda province remain vacant.
Shara calls for unity and reconstruction
In his speech to the assembly, President Ahmed Shara said Syria was writing a new history and called for a new page to be opened together on the path to building a modern Syria.
Shara stated that the devastation left by years of tyranny, war and destruction required placing the interests of the homeland above all else and working with a single team spirit.
Emphasizing that after the liberation of the homeland and the restoration of freedom, the stage of consolidating the state and building its institutions on the principles of responsibility and merit had begun, Shara said the state would be one where honour is protected and the will is respected.
He stated that rebuilding the economy, improving service quality, preparing the investment environment, providing employment opportunities and increasing production were the shared national responsibility of all state institutions, especially the People's Assembly.
Congratulatory message from Türkiye
Türkiye's Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz issued a congratulatory message on the opening and first session of the Syrian People's Assembly.
In a post on his social media account, Yılmaz said a historic day was taking place in Syria, stating: "Syria waited decades to regain popular sovereignty, sacrificed hundreds of thousands of lives, and hundreds of thousands of people wasted their lives in dungeons. Syria has more than earned this. Our motto is clear: The voice of the people is the voice of God! May it be blessed!"
