STORY: Syria's interim president announces legislative, political roadmap
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 30, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 31, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:07
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's speech
2. various of the "Victory Conference"
3. various of Syria
4. STANDUP (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter

STORYLINE:

Syria's newly appointed interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, outlined his administration's roadmap for the country's transition in his first address to the nation on Thursday, pledging to establish a legislative framework and a national dialogue on Syria's political future.
   
Speaking a day after his appointment, al-Sharaa announced the formation of a preparatory committee tasked with selecting a temporary legislative council, following the dissolution of the previous parliament.
   
"I will establish a preparatory committee to select a small-scale legislative council that will fill this institutional void during the transitional period," he stated.
   
The interim leader also revealed plans for a national dialogue conference, which he described as an "open platform for deliberations and consultations" among all segments of Syrian society to discuss the country's political program.
   
"In the coming days, we will announce the preparatory committee for the national dialogue conference, which will serve as a platform to exchange perspectives and refine our upcoming political program," al-Sharaa said.
   
Furthermore, the president pledged to issue a constitutional declaration once these initial steps are completed.
   
"Following these measures, we will present a constitutional declaration that will serve as the legal reference for the transitional phase," he added.
   
Al-Sharaa's address marks his administration's first major political initiative since taking power, signaling a move toward institutionalizing the transition process after the fall of the previous government in December last year.

STANDUP (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter
"Nearly two months after the sudden downfall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria has officially appointed Ahmed al-Sharaa as its interim president. The announcement was made during the 'Victory Conference' in Damascus, where military and political leaders dissolved all armed factions, signaling a transition to centralized governance. Syria faces deep political fractures, economic collapse, and security threats, making a swift leadership decision critical. Al-Sharaa now has the mandate to lead Syria through this phase. For now, his challenge is clear: restoring stability, navigating foreign relations, and proving that this revolution wasn't just about removing a leader, but about rebuilding a nation."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)