Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signs temporary constitution
What's the story
Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a temporary constitution, in a major development for the country's political landscape.
The new constitution, effective for five years, comes three months after al-Sharaa's forces successfully overthrew Bashar al-Assad's government.
Al-Sharaa said he hoped the constitutional declaration would mark the beginning of "a new history for Syria, where we replace oppression with justice."
Constitutional details
Key features of Syria's temporary constitution
The interim constitution also keeps some provisions from the old one: head of state has to be a Muslim, Islamic law will be the main source of jurisprudence.
Abdulhamid al-Awak, a drafting committee member, confirmed the decision.
The document also provides for freedom of expression and press, and women's "social, political and economic rights," al-Awak said.
Justice focus
Temporary constitution focuses on transitional justice
Transitional justice has been prioritized in the temporary constitution, and it aims to prosecute crimes under the previous al-Assad regime.
Al-Awak also clarified that executive power would be limited to the president under this temporary constitution.
United Nations special envoy Geir Pedersen welcomed the "moves towards restoring the rule of law" and noted that "this development potentially fills an important legal vacuum."
SDF response
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces criticize new constitution
But the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have slammed the new constitution, saying it goes against "the reality of Syria and its diversity."
The SDF accused the draft of being devoid of the "spirit of Syria's people and its various components from Kurds to Arabs, as well as Syriacs, Assyrians and other Syrian national components."
Ongoing efforts
Al-Sharaa's group continues to assert control in Syria
Since al-Sharaa's forces spearheaded the assault that ousted al-Assad in December, interim rulers are trying to establish their control over most of the country.
Critics say al-Sharaa's national dialogue conference last month wasn't representative of Syria's different ethnic and sectarian groups or civil society.
The constitutional declaration was signed just as an Israeli air strike on Damascus on Thursday.