Prime minister vows to stay back in Syria as opposition promises united future
President Bashar al-Assad fled Damascus ending more than five decades of his family’s rule over the country [Louai Beshara/AFP]
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has vowed to remain in the country and ensure public institutions continue to operate amid the dramatic fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“I urge all to think rationally and to think about the country,” al-Jalali said, emphasizing the need to protect public property and avoid chaos.
The prime minister extended an olive branch to the opposition, acknowledging their commitment to national unity.
“We extend our hand to the opposition, who have extended their hand and asserted that they will not harm anyone who belongs to this country,” he said.
His call for calm reflects concerns over potential unrest, recalling the anarchy that followed the 2003 toppling of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, when public institutions and property were looted.
Meanwhile, the armed opposition has sought to allay fears of sectarian strife or retribution, promising a “new Syria” characterized by justice, dignity, and peaceful coexistence.
“We turn the page on the dark past and open a new horizon for the future,” the rebels said in a statement.
Opposition leaders, including HTS chief Abu Mohammad al-Julani, have reiterated their commitment to creating a state for all Syrians, distancing themselves from past affiliations with al-Qaeda.
As Syria navigates this transformative period, international observers and citizens alike await clarity on how the country’s political and social fabric will evolve in the wake of Assad’s departure.
