Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has appointed the final 70 members of an expanded parliament, according to state media. This move, announced late Tuesday, completes a legislative body tasked with steering the country through its promised political transition following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The new parliament, now numbering 250 seats, includes 70 women and representatives from various ethnic and religious groups.
The British Foreign Office welcomed the step as a 'necessary part of the stabilisation process' but urged transparency. A spokesperson told this desk: 'We remain concerned about reports of exclusionary practices and the lack of independent oversight. The Syrian people deserve a government that represents all Syrians, not just those in power.'
Sources close to the negotiations reveal that the appointments were made after intense backroom dealing between al-Sharaa's transitional administration and factions from the former opposition. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: 'This is a delicate balancing act. Every appointment is a political statement. Some groups are furious they didn't get more seats.'
Documents obtained by this newsroom show that at least five of the new lawmakers have ties to militia groups accused of human rights abuses during the civil war. The Ministry of Justice, however, insists all appointees passed a vetting process. 'We are not perfect, but we are moving forward,' a ministry official said.
The parliament's first task will be to draft a new constitution. But critics argue that without a neutral electoral commission or guarantees for free elections, the body lacks legitimacy. 'They are building a house on sand,' said Rana Al-Khateeb, a Damascus-based analyst. 'The international community is so desperate for stability they will accept any government that isn't Assad. But that is a recipe for future collapse.'
Britain's call for stabilisation comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity. On Monday, the UK announced a £50 million aid package for Syria, with funds earmarked for reconstruction and border security. 'We cannot afford another failed state in the region,' a Foreign Office memo reads. 'But we must ensure our money does not end up in the pockets of warlords.'
The United Nations has also waded in, with Special Envoy Geir Pedersen warning that the transition risks becoming 'a reshuffling of the deck chairs on a sinking ship.' He called for a timetable for elections, a demand echoed by human rights groups.
On the ground, the situation remains tense. Clashes between rival factions in the south have killed at least 30 people this month. The night curfew in Damascus has been extended indefinitely. And in Idlib, a protest against the new parliament turned violent after security forces opened fire. The government claims three people died; medics say the toll is closer to 10.
For now, the international community watches and waits. 'We are prepared to engage constructively with the new Syria,' said a US State Department official. 'But if they think we will turn a blind eye to abuses, they are wrong.'
This reporter has been told that a classified Pentagon assessment warns that Syria remains a 'high-risk environment' for American interests, with the potential for the conflict to reignite. As one intelligence source put it: 'The war never really ended. It just went underground.'
