A hmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s president, spoke to The Economist on January 31st in Damascus. The conversation has been translated and lightly edited for clarity. You can read our analysis of the interview here.

As president, al-Sharaa has also been authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase which will carry out its task until a new constitution is adopt

Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif hoped that Ahmed Al Sharaa taking over as president of Syria would bring progress and peace to the war-torn country. “We welcome Mr. Ahmed Al Sharaa’s assumption of office as president of the Syrian Arab Republic during the transitional phase and hope that the new leadership will be able to bring peace,