Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA-President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Ahmad al-Sharaa, held a dialogue session attended by several ministers, academics, politicians, members of professional unions, and dignitaries from Idleb Governorate.
The session reflects the Syrian leadership’s commitment to direct engagement with all segments of the population and to closely listening to their concerns and demands.
The President began the meeting with a speech in which he emphasized Idleb’s pioneering national role, describing it as “a fundamental pillar for launching the project of a modern national state in Syria.”
President al-Sharaa praised the sacrifices and resilience of Idleb’s people in the face of years of siege, marginalization, and war, noting that “the situation in Idleb was among the most complex and difficult, but today it has become a starting point for strategic solutions toward genuine reconstruction.”
His Excellency stated: “We are working to establish a comprehensive infrastructure that encompasses all aspects of life, but we face a heavy legacy of accumulated problems over many years, and we must approach them with patience and methodical planning.”
He added: “The clearer the goals, the faster the achievements. Today, our priority is to preserve what has been accomplished and build upon it with realistic and balanced plans across all Syrian governorates.”
The President stressed the importance of joint efforts to ensure the dignified return of refugees and to guarantee their reintegration into stable lives.
During the session, attendees reaffirmed their support for the Syrian state in both war and peace, asserting that “those who endured fourteen years of war are capable of persevering for reconstruction or conflict.”
The delegation also expressed concerns and raised issues regarding the situation in Idleb and northern Syria in general. Questions focused on mechanisms to strengthen the state, institutional development, expanding participation, and reinforcing a unifying national discourse. The President responded by affirming that the state-building project is not based on power-sharing or spoils, but on a unified national mindset. He emphasized that Syria has the opportunity to become a strong and leading nation, despite attempts by some regional and international parties to keep it weak and fragmented.
Regarding the situation in recently liberated areas, attendees pointed out delays in the return of residents due to the destruction of their towns and homes. The President explained that efforts are ongoing to improve conditions, though they remain insufficient due to significant financial pressures on the state caused by low revenues and high expenditures. In this context, he announced preparations to launch a National Development Fund that will rely on Syrians both inside and outside the country, with a large portion of its resources dedicated to rehabilitating affected areas.
Questions were also raised about transitional justice and social cohesion. The President stressed that the discrimination and division sown by the former regime harmed the national fabric, and that the upcoming phase requires a precise understanding of transitional justice to rebuild trust between the state and society and to boost national unity.
Several attendees expressed their desire to establish a mechanism for submitting complaints and grievances.
The President appreciated these suggestions and announced the creation of a dedicated complaints office to facilitate direct communication with the highest levels of the state.
The interventions also addressed the state of the healthcare sector, the declining role of organizations, and weak investment in northern Syria. In response, the President clarified that the state does not impose full control over investment projects but plays a balancing and guiding role within available limits. He also affirmed that the official perspective on Syrian regions is fair and balanced, and that projects are distributed according to prioritize and needs.
President al-Sharaa highlighted the importance of developing civil society and called for moving beyond the previous phase toward institutional and legal work, considering it the solid foundation for building a sustainable and just state.
He noted preparations for holding economic conferences focused on Idleb and Aleppo, aiming to transform northern Syria into an economic and developmental capital, with a focus on establishing a free industrial city near Saraqib, as part of a comprehensive national plan that will take time but is steadily progressing toward results.
MHD Ibrahim
