Hadi al-Bahra, President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), emphasized the importance of collaboration and contribution among all Syrians, both as institutions and citizens, to overcome divisions and achieve the aspirations of the Syrian people.
In an interview with Al-Arabiya on Monday, Bahra stated that the process of drafting the constitution will not start from scratch and should not take more than a year, as there are already prepared chapters developed by the revolution and opposition forces over the years through Syrian-Syrian dialogue.
He also highlighted that updating the civil registry requires time, international expertise, and assistance from friendly nations to conduct a population census. He added that this process should proceed in parallel with the drafting of the constitution and may take between one and a half to three years, after which “elections could be held within three years.”
Bahra stressed that the Syrian people are consensual rather than divisive and are striving to accelerate progress toward their aspirations.
He acknowledged that the current appointments made by the interim administration are “understandable,” noting that the semi-collapsed state structure necessitates a harmonious and unified team. This approach avoids wasting time testing appointees and enhances the effectiveness of the interim administration’s work during this phase. However, he clarified that the upcoming transitional phase, expected to begin next March, “is a completely different matter, as its success or failure will have significant implications for Syria’s future, requiring clear frameworks and prerequisites.”
Bahra outlined three essential criteria for the transitional phase: inclusivity, credibility, and non-sectarianism. He noted that experiences of transitional governance in other countries have shown that excluding any party often leads to future problems and the failure of the transitional phase.
He also reiterated that the SOC, established with the endorsement of the United Nations in 2013, was entrusted with ensuring that the political transition process concludes with the transfer of power to the Syrian people. This would allow them to choose their leaders and vote on the constitution in a secure, neutral, and free environment.
Bahra clarified that the SOC has not yet received an invitation to participate in the national dialogue and added, “We have had no contact with the head of the interim administration in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa, but we are open to communication with all Syrians.”
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
