Damascus, 31 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - A day after his appointment as Syria's transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday pledged to form an inclusive government and build strong state institutions in the war-shattered country.

"We will work on an inclusive transitional government that reflects Syria's diversity," he said in a televised address.

This process should lead Syria to "free and fair elections," according to him.

"This is a transitional period, part of a political process that requires the genuine participation of all Syrians, both inside and outside the country, in shaping their future with freedom and dignity," he said.

Al-Sharaa commanded an Islamist-led rebel alliance that toppled Syria's long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, ending years of bloody civil war that broke out following pro-democracy protests in 2011.

On Wednesday, the Military Operations Department linked to the new ruling administration in Syria declared abolishing a 2012 constitution, dissolving al-Assad's parliament, disbanding all armed factions and integrating them into the state institutions.

Al-Sharaa said Thursday he would announce a committee to choose a small legislative council to fill the vacuum resulting from the parliament's dissolution during the transitional phase.

He also promised to build strong state institutions based on competence and justice as well as a vigorous economy.

Syria has been deeply divided in the wake of the anti-government protests and the ensuing civil war, though many are hopeful for a new beginning after the fall of the al-Assad family, which ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 50 years.

Syria's new leadership has since been endeavouring to re-establish security in the country and wooing the outside world for support.

MIA file photo