SOC President Bahra sets 18-month timeline for Syria's transition period

Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), made statements to the Reuters news agency on the sidelines of the Doha Forum held in the capital of Qatar. Evaluating the situation in Syria, where jihadists led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered the capital Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad left his post and the country, Bahra said that an 18-month transition period is needed to 'create a safe, neutral, and calm environment' for free elections to be held in the country. 

'THE CONSTITUTION WILL DICTATE THE FORM OF GOVERNMENT'

Noting that a constitution should be prepared within 6 months and that the first election will be a referendum, Bahra said, "The constitution will say whether it will be a parliamentary system, a presidential system, or a mixed system. Based on this, there will be an election and the people will choose their leader." Bahra noted that the opposition has asked state employees to continue going to work until the transfer of power, and that they have been given assurances that they will not be harmed.

'IT WAS LIKE A DOMINO EFFECT...'

Evaluating the last two-week process that began with the attacks of jihadist groups led by HTS in Syria on November 27, Bahra said, "It was like a domino effect. It was clear that (Assad) had decided to leave. I felt a sense of relief, but at the same time, I also felt a bit sad. He must be held accountable for all the crimes he committed."

In his first statement made today, Bahra addressed the Syrian people, saying, "I announce to you the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime." Stating that 'the situation is safe' and that 'there is no room for revenge or retaliation,' Bahra said, "A dark chapter in Syria's history has closed," and added that the Syrian army would also be restructured.