New Syria prioritizes unity, dialogue over revenge: spokesperson Al-Atassi

Arab Times

05-05-2025

KUWAIT CITY, May 5: Official spokesperson and member of the Syrian National Dialogue Committee Huda Al-Atassi hinted on what could be on the mind of every Syrian and Arab citizen regarding the fate of Syria under the new regime led by interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who called for the formation of the committee that is composed of a select group of educated individuals in various fields, regardless of affiliation. Al-Atassi explained that although 80 percent of the committee members are Sunnis; its primary concerns are dialogue and bringing together the views of all components of the Syrian people, citing the committee's meeting with the Alawites as evidence. She revealed that the issue of Qatari gas pipelines passing through Syrian territory to Europe is on the negotiation table, indicating that the new regime believes the current period is best suited to the absence of a prime minister in Syria.
On rumors about a retaliatory response by the new regime against Bashar Al-Assad's supporters, Atassi categorically denied this; disclosing that the new regime demanded they surrender their weapons and gave them a month to sign pledges to cease violence. She stated that during the first two months of the conquest, Syria witnessed no problems or bloodshed. She went on to say that she could hardly believe the position of the Druze minority, especially since more than 90 percent of them refuse to submit to the Druze of Israel, as some of them have been deceived. She pointed out there are hidden external hands working to incite instability and chaos in the country by Al-Assad and his men who plundered the Syrian people's wealth. Following is an excerpt of the interview:
Question: To begin with, as a member and official spokesperson for the National Dialogue Committee, has the Syrian presidency communicated with the committee or was its formation merely a decorative gesture?
Answer: The committee was formed through a presidential decree issued by the President of the Republic on Feb 8, 2025. It comprises of seven members. Naturally, its presence is not merely decorative. Rather, the presidency is keen on maintaining constant communication with the committee, especially since the purpose its purpose is not luxury; as it was created due to the circumstances that Syria has been experiencing since the end of 2024.
Q: Was the inclusion of all components of Syrian society in the National Dialogue Committee taken into account, or was the selection of trustworthy individuals?
A: When forming the committee, consideration was given to including members with competence, experience and intellectual diversity; not sectarianism. Therefore, each member of the committee comes from a cultural background -- whether from civil society or from figures interested in interfaith dialogue. It includes writers, thinkers and scholars in Medicine, Law and Construction.
Q: Are there any Shia representative?
A: The Shias were not included in the committee, as the President did not intend for this committee to be comprised of various sects. He focused on the committee being composed of intellectually educated elites from various fields. We communicate with everyone.
Q: It seems that most of the members of the National Dialogue Committee are Sunnis?
A: Yes, most of them are Sunnis.
Q: What is their percentage, approximately?
A: Around 80 percent. Let me clarify that one of the committee's goals is to communicate with all segments and components of Syrian society. It was not formed from all components, lest it be described as a quota committee. Syria is for everyone and for all its components, based on competence; not religious, ideological or intellectual affiliations.
Q: Any group that did not participate in the committee might feel that the new Syrian regime has excluded them, even though they are part of society.
A: The committee's goal and what it cares about is to hold dialogues and discussions with all segments of society. Therefore, the committee members were not chosen based on quotas.
Q: When did the committee begin dialogues with all segments?
A: The dialogues began five days after the committee's formation. The committee visited all 16 Syrian governorates. We met with all components of the governorates. We requested the attendance of 50 individuals at a single meeting, but we were surprised by the attendance of hundreds. The meeting was open for opinions to be expressed. We listened to all their problems, concerns, suggestions and recommendations.
Q: Did the Alawites participate in these dialogues?
A: Yes, they did.
Q:Was their participation enthusiastic or disgruntled?
A: Naturally, the Syrian people -- from all walks of life -- welcomed the new regime, while some had reservations. This was true for all groups, without specifying a certain topic.
Q: Why the reservations on the part of some?
A: Because some were asking, 'Who are these newcomers who liberated Syria from the former regime?' And how would the new regime deal with them? Would it respond to them? Or would it dictate opinions and directions?
Q: What are the most important points agreed on in the dialogues you held in the 16 governorates?
A: Everyone agreed on transitional justice, redressing grievances and granting rights to those who lost their fathers, brothers, and others. Security and safety were among the most important demands, as all components of society underscored the importance of stability in Syria.
Q: What did you, as members of the committee, sense from the Syrian people?
A: We sensed from the Syrian people that they want to live and forget the wounds of the past 14 years. We sensed that 100 percent of the Syrian people want to open a new page and turn the page on the past.
Q: What about the recent events and the situation of the Druze, who were involved in them?
A: We visited Sweida, which has the largest Druze community. It was one of the best governorates we have visited,and their reception of us was very good, especially since the people of Sweida are highly cultured and educated. They are the people of Al-Karamah Square. Before the fall of Al-Assad's regime, they were demonstrating against him, and as a sect they believe in justice.
Q: How do you explain what happened recently?
A: I still can't believe what happened.
Q: Who is behind this strife? Are foreign hands the cause?
A: Do you mean Israel? Israel took a small portion of the weak-willed Druze and tempted them with certain things, but 90 percent of our Druze people are not like these weak-willed people.
Q: Do you mean the Druze of Israel tempted the weak-willed Druze of Syria?
A: Yes, since the few weak-willed ones -- and I confirm they are a small minority -- have succumbed to the Israeli Druze.
Q: Do you expect what happened to happen again with other groups?
A: Thank Allah, we are confronting the remnants and they are being controlled. We already anticipated more problems, as it happened with the coastal problems, because hidden hands are still at work.
Q: Do you expect that the former regime, or more precisely, Bashar Al- Assad, is inciting internal strife in Syria?
A: Bashar is inciting. He is certainly trying with all his might to undermine Syrian cohesion to achieve his own goals. The countries that supported him are certainly behind this, but he will not succeed. We trust the awareness of the Syrian people, because the vast majority supports the new Syrian regime.
Q: Are Bashar's men, who benefited from his presence, are also playing behind the scenes to destabilize Syria?
A: Of course, because they believe their plunder of the Syrian people has stopped, as they were the primary beneficiaries of Bashar Al-Assad, especially since they forced the Syrian people to live below the poverty line, while Bashar's gang was stealing the people's livelihood.
Q: It was said that after the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad's regime, the new leadership committed the same persecution of opponents like Bashar Al-Assad, using the same logic.
A: Quite the opposite. Syria was liberated at the end of December 2024. For two months after the liberation, no problems arose. The new regime entered as conquerors and negotiators. The Military Operations Command entered to ask them to hand over their weapons and leave peacefully. They opened up areas for the exit of anyone who wished to surrender their weapons. The goal of the new regime was to prevent Syrians from fighting each other and to prevent bloodshed. Therefore, power was transferred smoothly. If the current government had intended to fight, it would have done so in the first months. If it had been confronted with force, it would have dealt with it violently.
Q: There are videos showing the torture of supporters of the former president, and some saw it as a retaliatory response.
A: Every action has a reaction. For the first two months, everyone was treated equally, without exception. After the Army was dissolved, all Syrian individuals carrying weapons were asked to go to designated centers to surrender their weapons. We asked those who committed crimes against the Syrian people to express their regret, so that they could be dealt with according to the logic of 'May God forgive what happened by now.' Therefore, settlement centers were opened for everyone carrying weapons and anyone with a problem in the area in which they live. When they settle and sign a declaration that they will not return to that approach again, they are given a chance. They were given a month to settle their differences. This is what happened. However, when some rebel movements began in certain areas, they intended to destabilize security and create chaos. It is only natural that the security forces dealt with them as a reaction to maintain Syria's security.
Q: What are the mechanisms used by the current Syrian president to stop the bloodshed of the Syrian people?
A: The president and the new administration insist on and strive to preserve the blood of the Syrian people and reject violence in all its forms. There are clear and strongly worded instructions to the General Security and the Army to deal with Syrians without retaliation.
Q: Do you have statistics on the people killed as a result of what has happened in Syria since its liberation until now?
A: They do not exceed hundreds, which is a very small number for a country with a history like Syria.
Q: Some betting on a change in the current Syrian landscape in the future, as it happened with the Muslim Brotherhood regime in Egypt. What is your opinion on this?
A: I think this will happen because the current transitional Syrian government is accepted by all segments of the population. If elections were held today, President Al-Sharaa would win.
Q: But transparent elections are not common in most Arab countries.
A: I assure you that if we held elections today, and they were naturally transparent and fair, 80 percent of the Syrian people would vote for President Al-Sharaa.
Q: Why?
A: Because he will ensure Syria's stability. He is the only person who can unite all components of the Syrian people, as evidenced by his previous convening of all armed factions under his leadership.
Q: Why is there no prime minister in Syria?
A: Because the current regime is a presidential system and this system is used in many countries.
Q: Will Syria have a prime minister in the future so that the burdens and tasks do not fall on the head of State?
A: What has been agreed upon is the appropriate thing for Syria currently.
Q: Did former Prime Minister Bashir cause some embarrassment to the new regime when he quoted the statements of the late Muslim Brotherhood leader Hassan al-Banna in his conferences?
A: He has not been ruled out. The ruling system is not dependent on individuals. Mr. Bashir is currently part of the government, as he holds the position of Minister of Energy and Oil. He has not been ruled out, but the new regime preferred not to have a prime minister, regardless of the individual.
Q: What is the news about the new constitution?
A: Work has begun on drafting the new constitution.
Q: How many years will it take to complete the drafting of the constitution?
A:At least two years, especially since drafting the constitutions of countries requires scrutiny and precision.
Q: Have you noticed that the leaders of the Arab and Gulf countries welcome President Al-Sharaa or have you noticed some reservations?
A: Praise Allah, there is a very high level of acceptance of Syrian President Al-Sharaa. He has very strong relations with all heads of states. Thus, he is welcomed with great enthusiasm whenever he visits any country and holds meetings with Arab leaders, particularly since Syria was isolated for many years during the rule of Bashar Al-Assad. Thank Allah, it has returned to the Arab fold. Syria has returned to its normal position among its Arab brothers, especially given its geographical position in the middle of the Arab region. Syria will rebuild its people and country and heal the wounds of the past years.
Q: It has been said, or is being said that Qatar's support for the new regime in Syria is due to the permission for gas pipelines from Qatar to pass through Syrian territory to European countries. What is your response to this?
A: Qatar has never stopped supporting Syria, whether before or after the gas pipeline issue.
Q: Will the gas pipeline issue be addressed soon?
A: This is one of the topics on the negotiation table. As Syrians, our relationship with our Arab brothers has not ceased, whether with the Qataris or other Gulf and Arab states, especially since the new Syrian regime, led by President Al-Sharaa, seeks to lift the international sanctions imposed by Bashar Al-Assad.
Q: Do you mean economic sanctions?
A: Yes, economic and banking sanctions, because lifting these sanctions will speed up Syria's recovery. Economic and social activities will strongly recover after all international sanctions are lifted.
Q: Since the current regime lacks any financial solvency, given that the previous regime plundered Syria's wealth, how are its financial affairs managed? Is there support from some countries?
A: Yes, support comes from some sisterly countries. Whatever the previous regime left in the Central Bank before its escape was small. There are also some revenues, such as customs and tax collections, but the State remains faltering. However, plans are currently being put in place to help Syria emerge from these financial crises.
Q: When will the reconstruction of Syria begin?
A: Provincial administrations are currently conducting studies on reconstruction, rubble removal and the beginning of reconstruction.
Q: During Bashar Al-Assad's departure from Syria, did he actually carry Syrian money in his luggage?
A: Yes, he did.
Q: How much?
A: More than $40 billion.
Q: What about the new Syrian regime's continuous demand for Russia to hand over Bashar Al-Assad?
A: Yes, Russia has been asked to hand over Bashar Al-Assad. President Al-Sharaa's administration is insisting on this.
Q: Why this insistence?
A:Because this is the right of the Syrian people.
Q: As a final question, what is the ranking of Syrian sects?
A: Sunnis have the highest percentage, around 50 percent.
Q: What about the percentages of other sects?
A: Unfortunately, Syria has no census authority now. President Al-Sharaa's administration will create a database to list all sects by age, so that we can assist everyone through plans developed based on accurate information.
A: Renew the bonds of cooperation and friendship with the State of Kuwait.