Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara Leaves Door Open for Re-Election to Complete Governance Plans

Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara stated on Tuesday that he has not yet decided whether to run in a future election, but indicated he would do so if remaining in office is necessary to fulfill his plans. Speaking to The National during an Atlantic Council event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly regarding his plans after Syria's transitional period, Mr Al Shara noted he has three years remaining in office and remains focused on governance.

“I haven’t thought about being elected,” he stated. “Right now, we are focusing on serving people.” However, if staying in office proves essential to finish that work, he added, “I will nominate myself.” Mr Al Shara mentioned he would prefer returning to a normal life because governing is “really tiresome,” though he reiterated, “If I believe that I need to remain in power, I will stay there.”

Addressing regional tensions, Mr Al Shara criticized Israel's strikes on Syria and questioned whether the actions enhance Israeli security. “Even the presidential palace has been bombed twice by Israel. Our airports are being bombed by Israel. Will that bring security to Israeli citizens?” he asked, adding, “I believe the problem is with Israel, not Syria.”

He also shared details of a lighthearted exchange with US President Donald Trump during a White House visit concerning Washington’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Mr Al Shara recounted suggesting that Mr Trump give Israel New Jersey instead, arguing the US owned it and its residents had not voted for him. “But President Trump doesn’t own the Golan Heights,” he said. “The Golan Heights is owned by its own people. It’s neither for the Syrian President nor the American President nor any other person to abandon them or give them up to others.”

Addressing the situation in Lebanon, Mr Al Shara expressed Syria's desire to strengthen the Lebanese government and its institutions, including bringing all weaponry under state control. “The Syrian ideas that we have are to empower the Lebanese government to have better institutions ... to have the state taking control over all the weapons in the Lebanese state,” he explained.