Syria Forms Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue Conference
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian transitional government has formed a preparatory committee for the long-anticipated National Dialogue Conference, aiming to shape the country’s political future, sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The committee, composed of five men and two women, will lead consultations with various political and social factions before the conference’s official convening, according to reports by Syrian media outlets.
Broad Consultations Before the Conference
The formation of the committee comes as part of the administration’s commitment to inclusive political dialogue following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa had previously stated that a committee would be established to ensure broad consultations with different political and social groups, setting the stage for a new governance framework.
Speaking to North Press, Hassan al-Daghim, a Syrian writer and researcher named as a committee member, declined to comment, saying he would wait for the official announcement of the committee’s spokesperson and full list of members.
Sources from Television Syria revealed that the preparatory committee includes Hassan al-Daghim, writer Maher Alloush, political analyst Mohammed Mastat, legal expert Yousef al-Hajr, politician Hind Kabawat, civil society activist Huda Atassi, and Mustafa Moussa, a member of the Civil Elders’ Council in Idlib.
Dissolution of Former Opposition Institutions
On Tuesday, President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the Syrian Negotiation Commission and the Syrian National Coalition at the Presidential Palace in Damascus. The meeting aimed to hand over institutional documents and dissolve both entities, which played a key role in the opposition during the Syrian conflict.
This move signals a significant restructuring of the political landscape in post-Assad Syria, as the new leadership seeks to unify the country’s fragmented opposition and lay the groundwork for a sustainable political transition.
Challenges and Expectations
While the National Dialogue Conference represents a pivotal moment for Syria’s future, significant challenges remain. Political analysts warn that tensions between various opposition factions, regional influences, and unresolved security concerns could complicate the process.
The transitional government has emphasized that the dialogue will be an inclusive platform, allowing representatives from different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds to contribute to shaping Syria’s future governance model.
The official date for the National Dialogue Conference has yet to be announced, but preparations are underway to ensure a broad representation of Syrian society. Observers expect that key topics will include constitutional reforms, decentralization, economic recovery, and security restructuring.
As Syria embarks on this critical transition, the success of the National Dialogue Conference will be a test of the new administration’s ability to foster political stability and national reconciliation.