DAMASCUS: Syria鈥檚 new interim president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, said he plans to establish a transitional justice committee, in a speech Tuesday after the opening of a national dialogue conference.
Sharaa, whose Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham toppled longtime president Bashar Assad in December, also emphasized the unity of Syria and the state鈥檚 鈥渕onopoly鈥� on weapons.
The national dialogue conference, held in the presidential palace in Damascus, marks the start of a crucial phase for the country鈥檚 future governance after a devastating civil war.
鈥淥ver the past two months, we have worked on pursuing those who committed crimes against Syrians,鈥� Sharaa told the gathering.
鈥淲e will work on forming a transitional justice body to restore people鈥檚 rights, ensure justice, and, God willing, bring criminals to justice.
鈥淭he unity of arms and their monopoly by the state is not a luxury but a duty and an obligation,鈥� the interim leader said.
鈥淪yria is indivisible; it is a complete whole, and its strength lies in its unity.鈥�
Hundreds of people were seen arriving for the conference in footage published by the official SANA news agency, before discussions got underway.