section_path: Political positions/Views on Syria
section_name: Views on Syria
paragraph_text: Views on Syria
  
  In an interview with Al Arabiya, al-Sharaa spoke about his ambitions for Syria's economic development. Al-Sharaa said that Syria needs 'experts who know the country's assets and try to benefit from all the experiences of the world, so as to come up with something that suits the nature of the society.' He said that after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, there are 'major investment and economic opportunities', and that Saudi Arabia has a very large role in Syria's economic development. He also pointed to a major investment opportunity for all neighbouring countries that can implement joint economic projects with the new Syrian administration. Regarding the sanctions imposed on Syria, al-Sharaa said he had hoped the incoming U.S. administration, led by then President-elect Donald Trump, would lift them. He said one of his top priorities is to rebuild the economy by issuing a new currency after the value of the current currency is stabilised.
  
  In his first interview as president on 9 February 2025, al-Sharaa told The Economist reporters that he opposed a federal system in Syria. He also mentioned that Turkey was planning a full-scale operation in the north against Kurdish forces but had asked them to wait to allow for negotiations. In response to a question about whether Sharia law could be implemented, he stated, "That decision rests with the experts. If they approve it, my duty is to enforce it; if they reject it, my duty is to uphold their decision as well." When asked if Syria would become a democracy, he responded, "In our region, there are various definitions of democracy. If democracy means that the people decide who will rule them and who represents them in parliament, then yes, Syria is moving in that direction."
  
  In an interview with The New York Times in April 2025, al-Sharaa stated that the sanctions should be permanently lifted, as they were imposed on the Assad regime. He stated that the sanctions were damaging his government and slowing down economic recovery. He also mentioned that his government was considering granting Syrian citizenship to foreign fighters who had lived in Syria for many years and supported the revolution. Furthermore, he said they were negotiating with Turkey and Russia regarding their military presence in Syria and suggested that both countries might eventually provide military support to his government.
  
  On 27 May 2025, during an event called "Aleppo, the Key to Victory," which celebrated the success of the Syrian revolution and the liberation of Aleppo from the Assad regime, al-Sharaa announced that the struggle against tyranny had ended and a new fight against poverty had begun.
  
  In an interview with The Jewish Journal on 28 May 2025, al-Sharaa acknowledged that foreign powers will continue to influence Syria’s path. However, he emphasized that true Syrian sovereignty must begin with internal unity.