The Syrian government has completed a controversial political process, with President Bashar al-Assad appointing the final 70 members of parliament. This move, announced on Tuesday, fills the remaining seats in the 250-member People's Assembly, effectively cementing the regime's legislative control amid an ongoing civil war. Britain has responded by demanding that Assad-era officials be held accountable for war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons and the targeting of civilians.
The appointments come as the United Nations investigates alleged atrocities, with the UK calling for evidence to be preserved for future prosecutions. Critics argue that the parliamentary appointments are a facade of normalcy while the country remains fractured. The international community remains divided on how to address the decade-long conflict, with Russia and Iran supporting the Assad government and Western powers pushing for accountability.
The new parliament is expected to rubber-stamp regime policies, including reconstruction contracts that may benefit Assad's allies.
