Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani confirmed that political parties will exist in Syria in the future, adding, “We are working to promote pluralism in the government, ministries, and society.”
Speaking during a dialogue session at Chatham House in London, Al-Shibani stated, “We filled the political vacuum in the country within 11 months,” adding, “There will be presidential elections in 4 or 5 years.”
On another note, he claimed that “what happened on the Syrian coast was orchestrated by the previous regime,” and regarding the events in Sweida, he said, “Israeli intervention ignited them.”
The foreign minister emphasized the need to rebuild trust between the people of Sweida and the government, saying, “We are dealing with our people in Sweida, not individuals affiliated with a particular sheikh.”
He stressed the presence of “foreign interference in Sweida,” noting that “everyone made mistakes there,” and confirmed that “some parties in Sweida do not want reconciliation.”
Al-Shibani argued that “the approach of dividing our country to ensure Israel’s safety is flawed” and said that “the success of the Syrian experience depends on rejecting sectarianism, which was sown by the Assad regime.”
He emphasized that “national reconciliation cannot be achieved without justice,” adding that “transitional justice is one of the foundations we are working on.”
Regarding negotiations with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Al-Shibani said, “There has been no positive or practical progress in reaching an agreement with Mazloum Abdi,” the SDF commander.
On another front, the Syrian foreign minister stated that “Israel is not pleased with the changes that have occurred and has continued its violations,” adding, “We did not fall into Israel’s provocations and tried to respond diplomatically.”
As for the economy, Al-Shibani said, “There are investment opportunities in all sectors” in Syria, adding that “these opportunities are open and not limited to a specific family or the government.”