Damascus, Syria – Transitional Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed that Syria deserves to live in security and peace.
He pointed out that “this is in the interest of the region and the world”.
Al-Sharaa said in an interview with the “60 Minutes” program on the American CBS NEWS channel: “We have not provoked Israel since our arrival in Damascus, and we do not want it to pose a threat to it or to any other country.”
He also stressed that Israel’s targeting of the presidential palace was not to convey a message, “but rather a declaration of war”.
But he made it clear that Damascus “does not want to fight wars”.
He pointed out that “Israel must withdraw from any point it occupied after December 8, 2024.”
He added that Syria will be open to international partnerships that respect its sovereignty.
Syrian priorities
In addition, Sharia law indicated that rebuilding what was destroyed by the previous regime is among the state’s priorities.
He revealed that the cost of this operation amounts to between 600 and 900 billion dollars, which requires broad support from the international community.
He considered that “the world has watched this tragedy for 14 years and was unable to prevent this major crime, so today it must provide support to Syria”.
He also explained that “international economic sanctions imposed on the country are hampering reconstruction efforts.”
He said: “There are entire generations of Syrians who suffered enormous psychological trauma as a result of the war launched by the former regime, during which more than a million Syrians were killed, many areas and infrastructure were destroyed, and millions were displaced between refugees abroad and displaced people at home”.
Sharia law stated that legal means will be used to pursue former regime President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia.
Coastal and Suwayda events
As for the events in the Sahel and Sweida, the Syrian President stressed that this is an internal issue that must be resolved legally.
He added that the state is committed to prosecuting anyone who commits crimes against civilians, from any party.
In response to a question about his entry into the presidential palace for the first time, Al-Sharaa said: “It was not a very positive experience, as a lot of evil came out of this palace towards the Syrian people”.
He stressed that it is important today to give people hope to rebuild and return to their homes, as reconstruction is not limited to infrastructure, but rather includes addressing the psychological trauma left by the war.
It is noteworthy that since the fall of the former regime on December 8, Israel has abandoned the 1974 armistice agreement.
Its forces penetrated the demilitarized zone for months.
Israeli forces also bombed several Syrian military assets and sites in the south and around Damascus.
While several rounds of negotiations that took place recently between the Israeli and Syrian sides, in order to conclude a security agreement, have not yet led to a result.
