Syrian opposition leader stresses need to preserve state institutions

In an interview with Middle East Eye, Hadi al-Bahra, who heads the Syrian political opposition coalition overseas, stressed the need to preserve the Syrian institutions and protect the economy over the next phase.

Speaking from Doha, Bahra, the president of the Syrian National Coalition, said the coalition of Syrian opposition groups that will lead the country must expand to include "new elements of the opposition".

“We need to implement UN security resolution 2254 and the Geneva communique. So now we have a body called the Syrian negotiation commission that includes all the opposition...(and will) come up with a decision to establish a transitional governing body that will (run) the country to make decisions and to manage the period of transition which is about 18 months,” he said.

Bahra also said that the Syrian opposition is not looking to create chaos in the country and has assured all minorities that they will not be discriminated against. 

“We appreciate that the prime minister didn’t run away like the president. He took a risk and he stayed, knowing that no one will hurt him. He volunteered also to have an organised transition,” Bahra said.

Rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, more commonly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has earlier said that state institution will be supervised by former Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali until they are handed over.

Bahra also said that while Turkey was aware that rebels were preparing an offensive, it was not involved "arming or training the rebels".

"They never expected this achievement."