The Syrian parliament will meet for the first time since the removal of al-Assad | Syrian War News

President Ahmed al-Sharaa says that improving the economy and promoting public services are important.

President of Syria has called on lawmakers to put “patriotism above all else” when the newly elected parliament meets in its inaugural session.

Members of parliament were sworn in in Damascus on Sunday, 18 months after the long-time dictator. Bashar al-Assad it was overthrown by rebels led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is now the president of Syria.

“I ask you to make this conference an example of responsibility and creativity, and to help promote a culture of dialogue, law and respect for institutions,” said al-Sharaa.

The main task of the parliament, known as the People’s Assembly, will be to draft new laws and establish the foundations of democracy after decades of oppressive rule under the al-Assad family that ended in a 14-year civil war that killed more than half a million people.

Al-Sharaa, 43, has promised to usher in a new era for Syria, which is still reeling from economic crisis after years of war and political isolation. The problems that this country has faced have been exacerbated by the political and religious conflicts that occurred after the overthrow of al-Assad.

Al-Sharaa emphasized that improving the economy, promoting human services and attracting international investment are the top priorities of the parliament.

“Syria is writing a glorious history that shows its hero, and we face the responsibility of building both the nation and the individual,” he said.

The chamber has 210 seats. Two-thirds of the lawmakers were elected last year by regional electoral colleges, while al-Sharaa elected the remaining 70 lawmakers earlier this month.

Officials say international elections have been held back by complications from years of conflict, including inaccurate demographic data.

Mr. Claudio Cordone, the deputy special representative of the United Nations in Syria, called the first session of the parliament “the most important for the political change in the country”, adding that the countries “will follow his work carefully and be ready to support”.