Syria govt pledges 'rule of law' after Assad's overthrow

An image of Syrian President Bashar Assad, riddled with bullets, covers a facade of the provincial government office in the aftermath of the opposition's takeover of Hama, Syria, Dec. 6, 2024.

Syria's interim government vowed on Thursday to institute the "rule of law" after years of abuses under ousted president Bashar al-Assad, as the United States warned against any action that risked triggering further conflict.

Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which brought a sudden end to five decades of repressive rule by his clan.

Syrians across the country and around the world erupted in celebration after enduring an era during which suspected dissidents were jailed or killed, and nearly 14 years of war that killed more than 500,000 people and displaced millions.

The United Nations humanitarian agency OCHA said on Thursday that 1.1 million people, mostly women and children, had been newly displaced since the rebels launched their offensive on Nov. 27.

The new government's spokesman told AFP on Thursday that the country's constitution and parliament would be suspended during a three-month transition.

"A judicial and human rights committee will be established to examine the constitution and then introduce amendments," Obaida Arnaout said.

Speaking at the state television headquarters, Arnaout said they would institute the "rule of law".

"All those who committed crimes against the Syrian people will be judged in accordance with the law," he added.

Asked about religious and personal freedoms, Arnaout said, "we respect religious and cultural diversity in Syria".

  Warning against 'additional conflicts' 

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