Syria's interim president signs temporary constitution for five-year transition

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has signed a constitutional declaration covering a five-year transitional period, three months after his Islamist group led the rebel offensive that overthrew Bashar al-Assad. The document says Islam is the religion of the president, as the previous constitution did, and Islamic jurisprudence is "the main source of legislation", rather than "a main source", according to the drafting committee. It also enshrines separation of powers and judicial independence, and guarantees women's rights, freedom of expression and media freedom. [ . . . ] A member of the committee, Abdul Hamid al-Awak, a constitutional law expert who teaches at a Turkish university, told a news conference on Thursday that the declaration aimed to "create a balance between a security society and rights and freedoms". He said it stipulated "absolute separation of powers", pointing to Assad's "encroachment" on other branches of government during his 24-year rule. The president would have executive authority during the transitional period, he said, but would have only one "exceptional power" – the ability to declare a state of emergency. A new People's Assembly will have full responsibility for legislation. Two thirds of its members will be appointed by a committee selected by the president and one third chosen by the president himself. A committee will also be formed to draft a new permanent constitution.
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