Syria’s new leadership has declared the country’s 2012 constitution invalid, according to a report by Al Watan, citing Hassan Abed al-Ghani, the spokesperson for the Military Operations Command. The publication states that all laws passed under the state of emergency have also been abolished.
Ahmad al-Scharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Jaulani, has been appointed as the country’s president for a “transitional period.” He is authorized to establish a legislative council that will remain in power until a new constitution is adopted.
The new Syrian authorities have also announced the dissolution of all security services and the re-establishment of the army. Al Watan quotes the Islamist spokesperson as saying, “We declare the dissolution of all security services created by the overthrown regime, with all their units and names and all armed formations created by it. And we announce the establishment of a new security service responsible for the safety of citizens.”
Experts are still unsure of the consequences of these measures, as much depends on how the new authorities in Damascus will close the legal vacuum and how quickly they will establish new security structures.
In late November, armed groups seized several Syrian cities and by December 8, they had entered Damascus. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, former President Bashar al-Assad had held talks with some conflict parties during this period, in which he decided to resign as president and leave the country. Moscow did not participate in the talks.
RIA Nowosti, citing an unnamed source, reports that Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the Syrian armed opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.