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In his first address to the nation since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, pledged to prosecute those responsible for "massacres and crimes" and the shedding of Syrian blood. Al-Sharaa, who led the rebel offensive that overthrew Assad seven weeks ago, has been appointed president for a "transitional period."

 

He committed to issuing a "constitutional declaration" to serve as a "legal reference" during the country's transition, following the suspension of the old constitution.

Earlier, rebel military commander Hassan Abdul Ghani announced the cancellation of Syria's 2012 constitution and the dissolution of the former regime's parliament, army and security agencies, according to the Sana news agency.

Sharaa began the pre-recorded speech by saying that he would be addressing his words to all Syrian men and women, including refugees, the families of "martyrs" and missing people, and activists who have dedicated their lives to the struggle for a free Syria.

He credited his coming to power to every Syrian who took part in the uprising and tried to make a change, and vowed to "pursue the criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres and crimes". He also promised to hold a "national dialogue conference" and vowed to preserve "civil peace" and Syria's territorial unity.

It comes after announcements were made on Wednesday during an event in Damascus attended by the commanders of factions who fought alongside the rebel alliance led by Sharaa's Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). It was entitled the "Conference for Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution".

All rebel groups which opposed Assad in the 13-year civil war would be dissolved and integrated into state institutions, Sharaa said.

As president, Sharaa would form an interim legislative council to help govern until a new constitution was approved, Ghani said.

In the interview with Al Arabiya, Sharaa noted the "deep strategic interests between Russia and Syria" and said he did not want Russia to leave "in a way that undermines its relationship with our country".

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