Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to four years to hold elections | Syrian military news

It is the first time Ahmed al-Sharaa has commented on an election schedule since ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad this month.

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa says it could take up to four years to hold elections in the war-torn country.

It is the first time the new Syrian leader has commented on a possible election timetable since opposition fighters led by al-Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad three weeks ago.

Drafting a new constitution could take up to three years, al-Sharaa told Saudi state broadcaster Al Arabiya on Sunday.

He said the election is likely to be held in four years as a new census is due to determine the number of eligible voters in the country. “Any meaningful election will require the conduct of a comprehensive population census,” he said.

Al-Shara said the Syrians are likely to witness significant changes in their country in about a year. He said HTS – the most dominant military and political force in Syria – would be disbanded at a national dialogue conference.

Al-Shara's comments come as the new government in Damascus tries to reassure its neighbors of peace and stability in the multi-ethnic country.

“Syria will not be a source of concern for anyone,” he told Al Arabiya.

Al-Sharaa said Syria shared strategic interests with Russia, a close ally and military backer of al-Assad during Syria's 13-year war, echoing signals of reconciliation his government had previously made. He said this month that Syria's relationship with Russia should serve common interests.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the status of Russian military bases in Syria will be subject to negotiations with the new leadership in Damascus.

“It is not only about maintaining our bases or strongholds, but also about the conditions of their operation, maintenance and provision and interaction with the local country,” he said in an interview with the Russian news agency RIA published on Sunday.

Al-Sharaa also said he hoped the administration of United States President-elect Donald Trump would lift the sanctions imposed on Syria.

Senior US diplomats who visited Damascus this month said al-Sharaa appeared pragmatic and Washington had decided to drop the $10 million bounty on the head of the HTS leader.