In Damascus, anticipation was palpable as Ahmed al-Shara, leader of the rebel coalition that overthrew Bashar al-Assad, was expected to make a public address. However, instead of this speech, pivotal decisions were swiftly announced: al-Shara was declared president for a transitional period, the Constitution was annulled, and the previous legislature and army were dissolved. While some celebrated, many were worried about the authoritarian nature of these decisions and the lack of clarity on al-Shara's broader support or the duration of his presidency. Concerns about inclusion and representation in shaping the new state emerged prominently.
His coalition did not say how long this transitional period would last, and it was not immediately clear whether his appointment had broad support across a diverse range of factions outside of his coalition.
It's a very centralized, authoritarian, top-down approach. Progressive Syrians and others are really worried about their role and their participation in this new state.
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