Syrians hopeful for the future – after the fall of al-Assad • TV4 The news on the ground in Damascus
Syria’s transitional government has announced it is suspending the country’s constitution and dissolving parliament for three months while the constitution is reviewed by a rights committee.
TV4 News has spoken to people in Damascus about their confidence in the new government – and many are hopeful.
– I think that we as students will have good job opportunities in the future, not like it was before when there was nothing for us, says medical student Salam Obeid.
Outside the Interior Ministry in Damascus, people flock to ask questions about the future, security and their jobs. Some offer their help. One of them is Alawite lawyer Habib Ali.
– I am here to help the rebels, who are my brothers, to try to arrange a safe Syria. For all citizens of Syria, not according to clans or religion, says Habibi Ali.
Several people that TV4 Nyheterna spoke to understand that it will take time before the authorities function normally again. But they hope that security will be established as soon as possible to avoid uncontrolled street lynchings.
– We are a minority in Syria and we can be blamed for the chaos that has been or can be. We appeal to the rebels to arrest, judge and punish all those who have been involved in any form of crime and are known by name, says Habibi and continues.
– But I hope the new government will skip justice, but in a legal way and not randomly and anyway. They must be safe.
Joy in the streets of Damascus
In the streets of Damascus, there is still joy after the fall of the dictator Bashar al Assad. Flags are waved, there is a lot of music. Some are out with family, whom they have been able to reunite with for the first time in years, celebrating by eating ice cream and talking about what they believe is a bright future.
– I think that we as students will have good job opportunities in the future, not like it was before when there was nothing for us. But now we hear good news about jobs and wages. The work we will do will be valued, Salam Obeid, a Sunni Muslim student anesthesiologist.
“Creating concerns”
In other areas, such as the Christian ones, residents are more cautious about expressing optimism. Some fear that the new government will institute a strict Islamist constitution, while others hope that they will keep what they promised, that everyone will be included.
– There are people who are afraid of what is to come, but others are optimistic. It is normal for this to happen when completely new circumstances arise, it creates anxiety. It applies to some people here but I am optimistic, says the Christian shop owner, Iyad Tali.