U.S. Responds to Al-Shara Regarding Elections in Four Years
The National reported that a senior U.S. official expressed the United States’ desire for Syria to begin the democratic process “as soon as possible.” This statement indirectly referred to recent remarks by Ahmed Al-Shara, head of the so-called new Syrian administration, who suggested that elections could not be organized before four years and that drafting a new constitution would take three years.
The U.S. official emphasized that elections should be “free and fair” and conducted in a transparent and inclusive manner. He expressed hope that these conditions could be met as soon as possible, adding that the U.S. envisions a Syria that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Syrians, including women and minorities.
While Al-Shara claimed that UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which outlines the framework for a peaceful political transition in Syria, is no longer feasible, the U.S. official argued that rebuilding the Syrian state should still align with the spirit of the resolution.
It is worth noting that UN Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, called for a ceasefire between the Syrian regime and other parties, excluding ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, designated as international terrorist organizations. It also mandated a transition to political negotiations to achieve a lasting settlement under UN supervision, drafting a new constitution, and holding internationally monitored elections within 18 months.
